“People will go don’t be silly” – Merson shares theory on why Palmer’s struggling to make an impact | OneFootball

Paul Merson believes Chelsea are really missing Nicolas Jackson and his absence is having an impact on the performances of Cole Palmer.

The Blues lost 3-0 on to Brighton on Friday night in arguably their worst performance of the season, and their campaign is unravelling quickly.

Chelsea are currently on a run of two wins in their last nine league games, and have dropped to sixth in the table, albeit just one point outside the top four.

Merson claims Jackson absence is impacting Palmer

Enzo Maresca’s men started the season so well and before Christmas had the opportunity to go top of the league, but they were held to a draw by Everton and things haven’t been the same since.

Chelsea were playing some of the best football in the league and scoring for fun, now they can’t seem to a buy a win, and didn’t have a single shot on target in the defeat to Brighton.

A lack of investment in January has cost the Blues as both Jackson and Marc Guiu picked up injuries against West Ham on deadline day.

Jackson and Palmer have had good on pitch chemistry this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Chelsea currently have no fit strikers, and were rocked by the news that Jackson is set to be sidelined with a hamstring injury until April.

To make matters worse the Blues have also lost Noni Madueke to a hamstring injury meaning Christopher Nkunku is currently leading the line.

Jackson, who has nine league goals this season is yet to find the back of the net in 2025, and was coming in for criticism for the chances he was missing.

However, Merson feels the Blues miss the 23-year-old and his absence is having an impact on the performances of Cole Palmer.

“They [Chelsea] miss Jackson,” Merson told Sky Sports as cited on X.com.

“Palmer makes Jackson and Jackson makes Palmer. People will go don’t be silly Palmer’s an unbelievable player but you’re only as good as the players you’re playing in front of you.

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“He’s got no movement so what happens is if Jackson doesn’t make those runs, he’s a willing player who stretches the game then Palmer comes in and gets the ball.

“Now Nkunku comes short, Palmer comes short and everything just closes up.”