Cole Palmer's meteoric rise last season saw him capture the Premier League by storm, securing the coveted Young Player of the Year award with a stunning tally of 22 goals and 11 assists. His exceptional form even translated onto the international stage, making a significant impact for England at Euro 2024, including scoring the equaliser against Spain in the final. However, former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes Palmer's journey at Stamford Bridge will be significantly different this time around.
Palmer's absence from Chelsea's pre-season tour of America due to a well-deserved break after his Euro 2024 exploits has seen him return to action with limited minutes in pre-season. Despite his familiarity with manager Enzo Maresca, Palmer's adaptation to the Italian's demands and potential shift to a more central role might take time.
Despite the new challenges, Palmer will remain a crucial player for Chelsea. However, Melchiot warns that the coming season will present a different landscape: "He is a great talent, last season he was a joy to watch," Melchiot told talkSPORT. "He had freedom. He had the feeling that I want to expose myself in the sense of like, âI want to prove to you guys how good I amâ, and I think that was his key thing. I think this season it will be different for him. Why? Because we expect it. People also expect to face him that he is going to play like that, so they are going to try to stop him."
Despite his limited pre-season action, Palmer is expected to start Chelsea's opening game against his former club Manchester City at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. His exceptional ability and proven track record suggest he could deliver another remarkable season, even with the heightened expectations and tactical adjustments. The upcoming campaign will be a crucial test for Palmer as he seeks to maintain his impressive form and adapt to the evolving demands of the Premier League.
