Taking the tactics out it, his first touch his been pretty poor lately for his standards. Earlier in the season (forgive me for this) it was at Bergkamp level.

3 hours ago, Wearyourblue said:

Taking the tactics out it, his first touch his been pretty poor lately for his standards. Earlier in the season (forgive me for this) it was at Bergkamp level.

I think he’s just run out of steam a little. Maybe mentally. Needs a good summer rest

4 hours ago, Wearyourblue said:

Taking the tactics out it, his first touch his been pretty poor lately for his standards. Earlier in the season (forgive me for this) it was at Bergkamp level.

1 hour ago, Adamrb said:

I think he’s just run out of steam a little. Maybe mentally. Needs a good summer rest

I think his confidence in his play is shot, where once his first move when he got the ball was to go forward, drive at the defence, now he looks back and sideways, he looks to do as hes been told. Hes second thinking everything rather than just playing on instinct.

55 minutes ago, dkw said:

I think his confidence in his play is shot, where once his first move when he got the ball was to go forward, drive at the defence, now he looks back and sideways, he looks to do as hes been told. Hes second thinking everything rather than just playing on instinct.

Again, the main problem for me is the tactic and his position on the field.

When he was best, he was coming from a little to the right and having a more natural position to take the shot.

The last half year he have been pushed to the left, stripping him from his natural instinct and forcing him to think to much.

So basically I agree with you. But I don't think it's because of Palmer - rather because Enzo Sr. changed tactics to make more room for Enzo Jr.

14 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

I wish the certainty that you have about our players getting better and better was actually a fact But it isn't. We've had loads of so called young talent at our club over the years who didn't get better at all. .

You are right, but at the same time there were others that went on to become legends and we let them go very easily.

For every Kakuta and Boga, there is a De Bruyne and Salah.

If you are talking about Academy graduates, this is a soft topic because every fanbase overrates their own youngsters. There has always been this crazy desire from the fans to have as many players in their team coming from the youth ranks. It happens at every single club, hence the crazy comparisons and, at times, delusional predictions of how good certain youngester will become, even though they show no signs of it.

It is not a certainty that all of these young players Chelsea have will become world beaters, but it is not a fact they will flop either. I personally believe the likes of Colwill, Palmer, Estevao, Quenda, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Acheampong, Paez, Lavia, Penders really have a very high ceiling. At the same time, I do not see it in Madueke, Guiu, Gusto, Carney or Deivid. Not all of them will turn into world class players, but a lot pass the eye test for me to be fair and my belief is that the owners will buy one prospect after another until they hit the jackpot with someone that will become a football legend, like Messi. Of course, it is just my hunch, nothing else.

The most talented player we have had since Hazard.

I thought it was quite telling in his interview yesterday when describing the first goal, how he said "I thought, I'm not going back again, I'm gonna do something". Clearly, he is not that pleased with all this go backwards crap from the manager. Compare his positioning last year or first half of this year, with the last 6 months, he's so much deeper now, and has hardly any shots compared to last season. It's no wonder he's not being as effective.

Just been watching some of his interviews from last night, he’s got pundit written all over him once he’s retired 🤣🤣🤣

As soon as Maresca allowed him to go forward more and play off the right he changed the game, baffling that this isn't Palmer's default role.

1 hour ago, Zeta said:

I thought it was quite telling in his interview yesterday when describing the first goal, how he said "I thought, I'm not going back again, I'm gonna do something". Clearly, he is not that pleased with all this go backwards crap from the manager. Compare his positioning last year or first half of this year, with the last 6 months, he's so much deeper now, and has hardly any shots compared to last season. It's no wonder he's not being as effective.

I've just read a match report in the Guardian and it has that quote from Cole

“I was sick of getting the ball and going backwards and sideways,” the attacker said. “I thought when I next get the ball I’m going to go. The first one, there was a bit of space and I’ve seen Enzo running at it so put it over the top. It is a good feeling for us and the fans, we just picked up the intensity.”

So, was it Marseca that told/allowed Cole go forward, or was it as it sounds that Cole got 'sick' of not going forward and took it upon himself?

If that's the case, how long will Cole tolerate being used like this?

This feels like such clear dig at team’s (manager’s) tactics that I’m surprised it’s not getting more attention.

38 minutes ago, Snedger said:

“I was sick of getting the ball and going backwards and sideways,

Maybe Palmer was being ironic or even telling the truth with the “passing sideways” quote.

The main thing for me is that Maresca realises the performance in the 2nd half compared to the 1st half was night and day.

Maresca needs to learn you can still control matches by speeding up your play and giving players a bit more freedom.

6 hours ago, _Ilya_ said:

This feels like such clear dig at team’s (manager’s) tactics that I’m surprised it’s not getting more attention.

I thought what he said was very telling.

Palmer's game in the first half compared to the 2nd was a night and day difference. In the first half, he was dropping deep and playing safe. In the second half, he was picking up the ball much higher up the pitch and running at the opposition, and he was on the right.

Maresca has got to give these players more freedom, this rigid system is just hurting them and the team as a whole.

Was looking at the goal of the season nominees and saw that his goal at Wolves was nominated which was a quality goal and I get that but genuinely shocked how his goal against Villa this season was not nominated. Personally IMO, I prefer that goal than the one he scored at Molineux. The way he shifted the ball onto a shooting range on to his strongest foot whilst being closed down and curled into the top net against a gigantic keeper was top class. Can't believe that goal was nominated.

Especially when I see some of the goals nominated such as Wilson's goal against Brentford which was quality but slightly flukey and also Brooks goal against Everton was good but would not have that as goal of the season nominee personally. Almost as they couldn't have two (three) Palmer goals on there. I say three in brackets because Jackson's goal against Newcastle which has also been nominated is there because of Cole Palmer effectively. But seems they wanted a different player for all 10 goals.

Edited May 30, 20251 yr by STATS

19 hours ago, _Ilya_ said:

This feels like such clear dig at team’s (manager’s) tactics that I’m surprised it’s not getting more attention.

picked up in uk media. The telegraph have an article on it.

On 29/05/2025 at 10:41, timetowaste said:

As soon as Maresca allowed him to go forward more and play off the right he changed the game, baffling that this isn't Palmer's default role.

It was Palmer's decision. He said he was sick of going sideways and backwards and thought " the next time I get the ball I'm.going forward"

2 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

It was Palmer's decision. He said he was sick of going sideways and backwards and thought " the next time I get the ball I'm.going forward"

Yeah I think I was being generous when I said Maresca allowed him

3 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

Yeah I think I was being generous when I said Maresca allowed him

I just thought you were being sarcastic LOL

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

I just thought you were being sarcastic LOL

Well I've been slagging Maresca off for the best part of 6 months so I thought I'd give him some credit 😂

PALMER #10 is going to sell shirts by the bucket load ... even at the extortionate prices

Well, hopefully that means he's committed for at least another year and hasn't been bored to death by Maresca's football yet.

4 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

PALMER #10 is going to sell shirts by the bucket load ... even at the extortionate prices

May have to give these owners my money again 😭

On 29/05/2025 at 10:41, timetowaste said:

As soon as Maresca allowed him to go forward more and play off the right he changed the game, baffling that this isn't Palmer's default role.

I kind of think we want our wide players to run back and defend and that is not Palmer's strength.

Madueke is also a strong contender for that place though I prefer Palmer.