“Your low mentality will ruin his football career” – William Gallas reveals 2 solid reasons why Chelsea star finds it difficult to regain his form under Enzo Maresca
Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas believes there are a couple of factors that can explain Cole Palmer’s recent dip in performances.
Speaking to Prime Casino, Gallas claimed that Palmer has been playing too often and he also feels opponents have gotten wiser to the threat that the midfielder poses.
“I think it’s very difficult for the young players. It can be very difficult to deal with everything from outside, the distractions. I’ve seen people say that Palmer has played too many games, but when Messi was young, when he was Cole’s age, he was playing many games, and he was still performing every week. I appreciate that not everyone is Messi, but Palmer is a really special talent. I don’t know Cole Palmer, I don’t know I don’t know his life, but from outside it looks like maybe the club should manage him better and maybe not to give him so many games. Rotate him a bit more.”
“Also, by exposing him less, teams have less chance to figure him out. He’s the man who makes the difference in most games, but when you come up against someone new, there’s a bit of confusion. Last year, clubs didn’t know about Palmer’s movement. They didn’t know his skills, but this season, they knew him. So that they knew how to defend against him. So perhaps that’s why he has dropped off. Maybe to stay at this level, he needs to change his style and start doing a few things that people don’t expect him to do.”
Chelsea have been overly reliant on the player
Maresca revealed after the 1-0 win against Leicester City last week that he decided to play Palmer despite the fact that he was ill.
It was the reason that the 22-year-old was substituted midway through the second half. It is a testament to Palmer’s character and ability that he is starting games even when he isn’t 100% fit, but it does demonstrate how much the Blues rely on him.
Palmer’s barren run in front of goal
The England international has not scored or provided an assist in the Premier League since the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth back in mid-January. That is exactly two months ago.
Palmer will be hoping to put that right when Chelsea take on Arsenal in a massive London derby at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.