Cole Palmer breaks silence on recent slump in form – as he sends message to Chelsea fans after Southampton thrashing
Cole Palmer has opened up on his difficult run of form after Chelsea thrashed Southampton 4-0 on Tuesday night.
Palmer, 22, has enjoyed a stunning 18 months since signing for the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for £42.5million.
The attacking midfielder has scored 39 goals and added 21 assists, regularly leading from the front at Stamford Bridge.
However, Palmer has failed to score or assist across his past seven games in all competitions, with the 21-year-old undergoing what seems to be his first dip for the club.
He is still in the midst of a fantastic season having added 20 goal contributions in 27 Premier League matches, but things are not quite working out as planned right now.
This included during their victory over Southampton as Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella got themselves on the scoresheet.
Cole Palmer has opened up on his difficult run of form after Chelsea beat Southampton 4-0
Palmer had seven shots against the Saints but saw his goal drought reach seven games in total
The 21-year-old looked dejected at full-time despite the Blues’ victory at Stamford Bridge
This was despite Palmer having seven shots – more than any other player – yet nothing quite fell for him.
And, taking to Instagram after the game, Palmer shared a photo of himself looking slightly dejected on the pitch.
He added the caption: ‘Well done lads +3. Don’t worry I will be back.’
Palmer’s dip has coincided with Chelsea’s wider struggle for form. Since December 22, the 21-year-old has netted three times in 11 Premier League games during a period that the Blues have won three, lost five and drawn three of those matches.
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca was seen deep in conversation with Palmer on the pitch after the Southampton victory and the Chelsea boss later revealed what they had talked about.
‘It is quite easy. All of them, they went through some bad moments, it is normal,’ Maresca said.
‘You cannot expect every season or game, it is normal. He is a human being.
‘He misses goals, he misses some things, it is about how you react I was telling him it’s OK.’
Palmer congratulated his team-mates on the win and pledged he would return to form soon
The attacking midfielder was seen deep in conversation with Enzo Maresca at full-time
Asked specifically what he said to a dejected Palmer at the final whistle, Maresca explained the positive reinforcement he is channelling right now.
‘I said he has been lucky in his career,’ the Italian coach added.
‘He has shared changing rooms with top players and he knows they go through bad moments. Keep working, keep laughing, enjoy your football.’
The victory over Southampton was a crucial one for Chelsea as Maresca’s men rose back in to the top four ahead of the rest of the midweek action.
However, the Blues are just four points clear of 10th place Aston Villa and it promises to be an intriguing few months in the race for Europe.
