Cole Palmer’s Struggles Say More About Chelsea Fans Than You Think | OneFootball

If you’re a Chelsea fan, there’s likely one question on your mind—okay, maybe more than one—but the key one is: What happened to Cole Palmer?

Chelsea’s star man hadn’t scored since a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth back in January across all competitions; that was until he played against Liverpool.

There have been a couple of assists since then, but the output was nowhere near the expectation Palmer had set. So what has gone wrong during that period?

From Magician to Missing: Cole Palmer’s Sudden Disappearance

The former Manchester City academy star, who requested a move from Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side and bet on his ability, became the face of a new era at Stamford Bridge. Palmer lit up the Premier League last season with flair, intelligence, and goals, instantly becoming a fan favourite. Chelsea fans looked at him in the same light as Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard: the magician who made Stamford Bridge his own. In the final minutes of a tight game, fans were confident with the ball in Palmer’s legs.

But fast forward to the second half of this season, and something has changed. Before the game against Liverpool and since his last goal against Bournemouth in January 2025, Palmer had gone 17 matches without scoring. To put that into perspective, Lisandro Martínez, sidelined since February, had found the net more recently.

Blame Game: Maresca’s System or Palmer’s Growing Pains?

For neutrals, the explanation is straightforward—Palmer is a one-season wonder. Within the Chelsea fanbase, the narrative is far more complex and deeply tribal. The discourse surrounding Palmer now depends on where fans stand on one key question: Are you Maresca in or Maresca out?

Those in the latter camp blame Palmer’s decline on Enzo Maresca’s tactical system. They will ignore that under Maresca, Palmer remains, despite failing to score since January, one of the top 10 goalscorers in the Premier League this season. Comparisons to his performances last season and the rigid structure of Maresca against the freedom afforded by Pochettino surfaced. Similar struggles in other players like Christopher Nkunku are evidence of the failure of the system. Football tacticos will mention Maresca’s system having Palmer playing in the left half-space, which means he has fewer opportunities to play on his more comfortable left foot.

Those on the other side of the spectrum argue that Maresca’s system isn’t to blame for Palmer’s dip in form. Instead, they see a familiar cycle for young breakout stars: a streak of bad luck, followed by a slump, which chips away at confidence, leading to a frantic desire to recapture form too quickly. It’s a pattern that echoes the trajectory of many young talents who shine early and then struggle to handle the inevitable spotlight.

System or Slump? A Deeper Diagnosis

So, what’s the real reason behind Palmer’s dip, the system or just a slump? The answer, as is often the case in football, is not binary. It’s both

The reality is that opponents have begun to figure out Maresca’s system. Deep defensive blocks and compact midfields are effectively limiting space, and with it, Chelsea’s attacking threat. Palmer, in particular, has become a marked man—his influence is now so significant that teams are tailoring their defensive plans to contain him. As space shrinks, so too does the freedom and creativity Chelsea’s attack once relied on. It falls on Maresca to adapt, to find solutions as the league adjusts to his tactics. Whether supporters have the patience to give him that time, however, is another matter—and beyond the scope of this discussion.

It is also the reality that Palmer is, in many ways, a victim of his brilliance. His breakout season was so dazzling that it’s easy to forget he’s just 23, with only one full Premier League campaign under his belt. Yet here he is—cast as the saviour of one of England’s biggest clubs, shouldering the burden of expectation week in, week out.

His performances united a divided fanbase, but the truth is, he’s still learning how to cope with the weight of responsibility, the pressure of consistent output, and the attention of defenders now tasked specifically with shutting him down. The scrutiny is relentless, and at this stage in his development, Palmer simply lacks the experience to navigate it smoothly.

More crucially, Palmer is facing something new: a sustained dip in confidence. Until now, his rise had been rapid and largely uninterrupted. But learning how to rebuild belief—especially while still expected to perform at the highest level—is a lesson that only experience can teach. For all his talent and early success, Palmer hasn’t yet had to navigate this kind of personal challenge. And right now, it shows.

Compounding the issue is Chelsea’s own inconsistency. As the team struggles with form and individual performances fluctuate, the burden on Palmer only grows heavier. There’s no safety net—no collective strength to allow him a quiet spell to regain confidence. Instead, he’s expected to produce magic amid chaos at a stage of the season when every result matters.

In an ideal world, Palmer might benefit from a short break or spell on the bench—to clear his head, recover fully, and step out of the spotlight. Chelsea’s reality offers no such luxury. With Christopher Nkunku struggling for form and fitness—and seemingly not trusted by Maresca to fill the creative void—and João Félix now at AC Milan, the squad lacks a viable alternative. Quite simply, Chelsea cannot afford to rest Palmer during a stage of the season when every match carries weight.

Hope on the Horizon: A Star Still in the Making

The good news? This is exactly the kind of learning curve that shapes future superstars. Palmer’s struggles are part of the process. It’s easy to forget—especially after his electrifying performances at Stamford Bridge—that even Eden Hazard no-showed the season in 2015–16, despite already having Premier League and Europa League titles to his name.

Even better news is that Palmer seems to have the right attitude to overcome this slump. Not a single match goes by where he isn’t eager to make an impact. He consistently shows for the ball, tries to create opportunities, and isn’t afraid to take shots—even when it’s not coming off. While things aren’t clicking right now, his determination suggests it’s only a matter of time before they do.

At the end of the day, Palmer is a young player on a crucial learning curve, one that will eventually shape him into the superstar we all know he can be. Whether you’re behind Maresca or not, Palmer will find his rhythm again. He’ll get back to the performances that made him such a revelation last season. The talent is undeniable—Palmer will come good. He’s simply too gifted not to.