Calum McFarlane is the latest Chelsea head coach to defend Cole Palmer’s form, with the interim boss insisting it is a fake narrative to suggest the English playmaker is playing poorly.
Before McFarlane, both Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca sought to protect Palmer amid accusations that the 23-year-old’s powers are waning, with it not yet certain that Thomas Tuchel will take him to this summer’s World Cup.
McFarlane believes Palmer would be an asset for England and even added he cannot help it if his team-mates are not finishing the chances he creates. The 38-year-old coach also pointed out that his player has had to cope with the first real injury of his career – a nagging groin issue which came with no set timeframe for recovery and, according to Palmer himself, left him unable to sprint or shoot when he forced himself to return to playing under Maresca.
In the Premier League this season, he has scored nine goals – five of which have come from penalties – assisted once, and created 22 chances. All of his numbers are significantly down on the previous two seasons, though his minutes have likewise been limited due to his injury.
Ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest – a match which Chelsea could do with winning for their European hopes – McFarlane said: ‘It’s been a difficult period for Cole. He’s had his first injury that he’s pretty much ever had in his career and he’s had to learn how to deal with that.
Calum McFarlane has rubbished suggestions that Cole Palmer’s powers are waning
Palmer has had a quiet season due to a persistent groin injury
‘I don’t agree with the narrative that he isn’t playing well. There are obviously games where he can impact more but there have also been a lot of occasions where he’s created a lot of good chances for players. He can’t control whether that’s finished.
‘It’s just a case of building that consistency. I’m really pleased with Cole. He shows us his talent every single day, his energy and his enthusiasm to play. He’s still a top, top player, one of the best in the world. I have no concerns over Cole being ready to impact games from now to the end of the season, and hopefully in the World Cup, in big moments for England.’
There is extra pressure on Palmer to perform because of the expectations placed upon him after his first two sensational seasons as Chelsea’s superstar.
Though McFarlane previously worked in Manchester City’s academy, he did not personally cross paths with Palmer, but used to watch him tearing it up for the Under 21s.
‘We have all watched Cole Palmer enough to see the freedom he plays the game with,’ McFarlane said. ‘He sees things that other people don’t see, so it was very similar. He is just doing it at a higher level against a higher level of opposition, but very much the same type of player.’
In good news for Chelsea, Reece James and Levi Colwill could return to the squad versus Forest after their respective hamstring and ACL injuries. For Colwill, it would represent his first inclusion on a match day this season.
McFarlane was asked by one journalist whether he has been handed a new contract with bonuses built in, such as for winning the FA Cup or qualifying for Europe. It would stand to reason, given the players’ deals are heavily incentivised, though Chelsea’s interim did not wish to answer that question.
