Cole Palmer
CHEEngland
Left
May 6, 2002
23
6'1"
168 lb
AM
RW
Shadow Striker
ChelseaQuiet in loss
Palmer recorded three shots (one on goal), four crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Palmer took three shots and sent in four crosses but failed to create a chance and put only a single shot on goal during Saturday's loss. It hasn't been a perfect season for Palmer, but he's repeatedly shown his quality and his talent on the ball. Despite that, he has only nine goals and one assist in the Premier League this season.
Racking up the goals
Palmer scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
Analysis: Palmer powered a shot through traffic Wednesday to score Chelsea's third goal in their 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa. In addition to his goal, the attacking midfielder contributed two interceptions and one clearance to the defensive effort across his 85 minute shift. Across his last five appearances (five starts), Palmer has scored five goals and supplied one assist.
Remains fit for Wednesday
Palmer only came off due to a knock in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal due to a knock and is fit for Wednesday's match against Aston Villa, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Cole took a knock [vs Arsenal], but he's absolutely fine,' our head coach confirmed to the media. 'He's looking really good, and I think you can see how we've managed him in recent weeks. So yes, Cole's absolutely fine to start the game on Wednesday and Reece [James] is also fine."
Analysis: Palmer has now played in two straight games after a recent injury and had been feared to have suffered an injury when coming off Sunday. However, he has avoided any issues and was only being slightly managed, set to play through the rest of the busy week. He should remain in his starting role moving forward, as he is one of the elite attackers in the league, with his last goal contribution coming two appearances ago.
Four shots without a goal in draw
Palmer recorded four shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Burnley.
Analysis: Palmer took four shots but was unable to score against Burnley, who held out until the last minute and scored a late equaliser against the 10 men of Chelsea. Palmer had scored four goals in his last two Premier League games and also provided an assist. He was only able to put one of his four shots on target. When he has taken four shots in a game this season, he has failed to score on the two occasions. This was also the sixth time this year that he has been abel to create two or more chances and the fourth time in the Premier League.
Managing minutes
Palmer is an option for Sunday's match against Burnley after missing their FA Cup match against Hull City on Feb. 13, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "With Cole, it's based on day by day. At the moment, he is fully fit and available for selection. He trained really well today."
Analysis: Palmer was not with the club as they took the field for FA Cup action, but he is already ready to return, only managing his minutes and missing out due to that reason. That said, the attacker will likely return to a starting role immediately, starting in his past three appearances and having four goals and one assist during that time. He is up to eight goals and one assist this season, far behind the 23 goal contributions he earned last campaign.
Assists, Scores pk in draw
Palmer scored one goal and assisted once from five shots and four chances created in Tuesday's 2-2 draw versus Leeds United. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 67th minute.
Analysis: Palmer recorded what ended up being a crucial penalty kick goal against Leeds, adding to his one assist, four key passes, two shots on target and a tackle won on Tuesday. In just the last two PL games, he's scored four goals with one assist, recording five shots on target, four key passes and making three successful dribbles.
Hat-tirck at Wolves
Palmer scored three goals to go with three shots (three on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton.
Analysis: Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick as he helped Chelsea to a 3-1 win at Wolves. The first two goals came from the penalty spot, both of which were penalties won by Joao Pedro. The third goal came from a well-worked pull-back from Marc Cucurella to make it 3-0. The midfielder has scored seven goals now in only 910 minutes in the Premier League, while he has also scored once and provided two assists from 135 minutes in the Champions League.
Back at full fitness
Palmer is back at full fitness after playing 45 minutes and bagging two assists in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Napoli, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "There was no way Cole could have started this game and played 60, 70 or 80 minutes. Napoli have had a difficult time with injuries, so I felt that later in the game we would be stronger, and I felt Cole's performance was magnificent. He's had so many games over a long period of time [in the last two seasons], so we need to look after him, and I think the way that he's managed himself for the last two weeks has been magnificent. Hopefully, we can now see the best of him now that he's fully fit."
Analysis: Palmer is deemed to have returned to full fitness after some issues with his health in the past few weeks, with the club managing his time to keep their star player fit. He should then return to the starting IX in the coming games after he only appeared off the bench Wednesday, with his two assists a good sign that he remains at a top level. With only four goals in his 12 league appearances (20 starts) this season, he will be hungry to add more to this tally soon.
Provides two assists
Palmer had two assists while taking a shot and creating three chances during Wednesday's 3-2 win over Napoli.
Analysis: Palmer entered the match at halftime and set up goals in the 61st and 82nd minute while leading Chelsea with three chances created. The appearance was the first in the Champions League since September 17th for Palmer, but he will likely be a key piece moving forward as Chelsea head into the knockout phase.
Makes bench Wednesday
Palmer (thigh) is on the bench for Wednesday's clash against Napoli.
Analysis: Palmer is named on the bench after missing the last two matches with a thigh issue sustained following the win against Brentford. He is fit enough to be involved and available for minutes but is not ready to start. Enzo Fernandez starts again in the attacking central role as Palmer continues to manage lingering fitness concerns.
Available against Napoli
Palmer (thigh) is in the traveling squad and available for Wednesday's match against Napoli, according to manager Liam Rosenior.
Analysis: Palmer has missed the last two matches with a supposed thigh issue after going 90 in the Jan. 17 win against Brentford. It's unclear on his fitness and if he'll be able to start, but he's in the squad and should be ready for minutes. Overall, it's still unknown if he's completely over the groin injury from earlier in the season. If unable to start, Enzo Fernandez will likely start in the attacking central role again.
Trains Monday
Palmer (thigh) was present in Chelsea's training session Monday after being sidelined Sunday against Crystal Palace, Bobby Vincent of Mirror Sport reports.
Analysis: Palmer could be an option for the midweek UCL trip to Napoli after missing the last league contest with a minor thigh issue. The talented attacker has struggled with injuries over the past few months but has produced shooting numbers whenever he's available, scoring three times over his last seven league starts. If he can play a role in the next game, he'll likely be used in the three-man attacking midfield line, pushing Enzo Fernandez to a more defensive spot and Andrey Santos to the bench.
Left out Sunday
Palmer (thigh) is out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace but has trained the past two days and is eyeing a return against Napoli on Wednesday, according to Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail.
Analysis: Palmer was a late call for Sunday, but is not with the team, as they appear to take the cautious route and not risk their star attacker. His usage is likely to be saved for their final UCL league stage match on Wednesday when facing Napoli. That said, he will use the next few days to train, hoping to be fit for the start immediately.
Trains, appears to be late call
Palmer (thigh) trained Friday and appears to be a late call for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Cole is in a good place. He joined in training today, which is really positive, and we will assess his reaction to training after the session."
Analysis: Palmer missed out midweek with an injury as the rest of his club took the field for UCL play, with the attacker now able to train in the days after. He is then trending towards a return, having another day to recover and potentially make the team sheet. Some late testing is likely to be the final factor to decide if he can play, starting in 10 of his 12 appearances this season and eyeing a starting role if fit.
Absent with muscle strain
Palmer was sidelined Wednesday against Pafos after he suffered a slight muscle strain, Peter Rutzler of Times Sport reports.
Analysis: Palmer had bounced back from another minor issue and scored a goal in last weekend's EPL win over Brentford, but he couldn't stay fit for the subsequent Champions League contest. Still, there's optimism that he could be back for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace. Despite being an inconsistent campaign for him due to injuries, he has scored three goals over his last seven appearances and recorded multiple shots in four of those games.
Converts from spot
Palmer scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 win over Brentford. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 91st minute.
Analysis: Palmer returned to the scoresheet with a well-taken penalty but was otherwise limited, recording one early shot and no chances created. He made his eighth straight league start and has produced three goals from 13 shots in that span, with his last two coming via penalties. He has gone three matches without creating a chance and has not consistently matched his output from previous two seasons while managing fitness issues.
Fit to start Saturday
Palmer (thigh) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Brentford.
Analysis: Palmer makes the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Brentford after training on Friday and being cleared by the medical staff. The playmaker was carefully managed to avoid any injury risks and is now deemed fully fit to feature. His inclusion reflects the staff's confidence in his condition following the late fitness assessment.
Should be available Saturday
Palmer (thigh) should be an option for Saturday's clash against Brentford, coach Liam Rosenior said in the press conference. "Reece and Cole, both of them are training today, so we just need to assess them after the session and make sure that they come through all of the protocols that they need to come through. It would be great to have them back in the squad [for the weekend]. At the moment, it looks like they could be [involved]."
Analysis: Palmer is training on Friday and should be an option for Saturday's clash against Brentford. The playmaker is carefully managed by the medical staff to avoid any risks of injuries if he is not 100 per cent fit to feature. That said, the staff is optimistic to see him play on Saturday and he should earn a starting role if he passes the late fitness call ahead of the game.
Hopeful to play Saturday
Palmer will aim to return Saturday against Brentford after missing the latest cup action, with coach Liam Rosenior saying "Cole, yes. This game came too early for him. Hopefully, he'll be available to train on Friday and hopefully he'll be ready for us to play on Saturday. But he had a little minor strain in his thigh. If you play a player too early in January with a minor strain, it can turn to six weeks.", Bobby Vincent of Mirror Sport reports.
Analysis: Palmer was apparently absent from training due to a slight injury, despite which he might be able to play in league action. However, he could have his playing time managed either in the game against Brentford or in subsequent fixtures, with a Champions League matchup coming next week. Palmer has played in both No. 10 and right-wing spots lately, producing two goals over his last six EPL starts. Assuming he'll return in a central spot, it could lead to Enzo Fernandez moving back to defensive midfield and Andrey Santos to the bench.
Won't be risked
Palmer will not be risked if he is not fully fit to play at this stage of the season, coach Liam Rosenior told the media. "I had a really good in-depth conversation with Cole [on Monday], I've had a good in-depth conversation with the medical team, and we're at a stage of the season where we've got another eight games in four weeks, so it'd be crazy for me to risk any player in this phase of the season. To risk a player's health in January is a crazy thing to do if you have the ambition that you want to be strong at the end of the season."
Analysis: Palmer is likely to see some rest in the coming fixtures, since Chelsea will play eight games in four weeks and both the medical staff and new coach Liam Rosenior do not want to risk their best offensive player if he is not fully fit to feature. If Palmer is rested in some games or starts on the bench for the Blues, Enzo Fernandez is likely to play in a more offensive role.
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