It has been a rough 2025/26 season for former Premier League Player of the Season candidate Cole Palmer, and after watching him struggle yet again vs. Newcastle United, Chelsea fans can only come to the heartbreaking conclusion that he is himself to blame for his issues.
Just as Arsenal fans are watching Bukayo Saka look a step off this season, the young Palmer is, likewise, playing below his level and genuinely looking both gassed and lacking sharpness in his decision making.
Chelsea thought they would be skating with an in form Joao Pedro and Palmer together in the attack again, and just as Pedro had been improving under Liam Rosenior, there was a prevailing belief that Palmer would improve away from Enzo Maresca and with health on his side.
But watching Palmer struggle to win one on one, pass the ball sideways, and offer no goal threat, he honestly looked like a totally different player to the guy who was matching Eden Hazard’s production over multiple seasons.
There is no need to declare Palmer finished or not the same player in a general sense. He is too young and too good for that. But at this point, he is the problem and needs to step up.
Chelsea fans love the guy and should. But even if you love a player, you cannot keep making excuses for them when they consistently play below their level. Palmer is hurting the team with his lethargic passing, uninventive dribbling, and inability to get in the same scoring positions consistently.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.