Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino fears Cole Palmer may be tempted to look for an exit from the club amid their dismal form.
After an impressive 2024/25 campaign, in which he registered an impressive 32 goal contributions across all competitions, Palmer has struggled to match the lofty heights he set.
3
The 23-year-old has managed 10 goals and just three assists this term, with the majority of his season hampered by injuries.
Amid Palmer’s fitness woes, Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, lost to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and are at real risk of not securing a top five finish in the Premier League.
With fifth likely to be good enough for Champions League football next season, Blues boss Liam Rosenior desperately needs to turn around the team’s form given they’ve lost their last four across all competitions.
Tony Cascarino’s verdict on Cole Palmer’s Chelsea future
But should Chelsea miss out on Europe’s elite club competition and the riches that come with it, Cascarino is worried an exodus of the club’s best players could occur, with Palmer chief among them.
“It’s a conveyor belt, isn’t it,” Cascarino said on eSPORTY’s Weekend Breakfast.
“It feels like it’s just this product of churning, get one-in, get one-out, balancing the books and keeping out of trouble financially, which they’ve obviously had issues with.
“But they’ve not seen great evidence of what’s happening on the pitch of a successful side. If Cole Palmer wants to be successful, he has to question the project at Chelsea.
“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be any time soon.
“Also, you can add in [Enzo] Fernandez, as well. You’re going to lose your stars if you don’t win things, you will.”
Enz of the road?
Although Palmer has not explicitly expressed a desire to leave Stamford Bridge, the same can’t quite be said for Blues vice-captain Fernandez.
3
Fernandez sent the rumour mill into overdrive when, following defeat to PSG in the second leg of Chelsea’s Champions League round of 16 tie, he couldn’t confirm he’d be at the club following the World Cup.
eSPORTY understands the World Cup winner would be open to a move to Real Madrid in the summer, although the Spanish giants are yet to make a formal move.
Real Madrid aren’t the only club understood to hold an interest in Fernandez, with PSG and Saudi club Al Ittihad also among potential suitors.
Reason behind Palmer exit rumours
As for Palmer, The Sun reports three European giants will be firmly in the mix for his signature should he push for a move in the summer.
According to the report, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the England international, who is rated being worth £150million.
The report adds Palmer has grown disillusioned with Chelsea’s change of approach under Rosenior, which has supposedly reduced his influence on contests.
3
It’s not the first time murmurs of discontent surrounding Palmer have emerged, with rumours the Chelsea ace was unsettled in west London cropping up in January.
Alex Crook breaks down potential Palmer departure
However, when addressing the initial Palmer whispers, eSPORTY’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook pointed out a transfer to one club in particular would be dependent on a major exit.
“The rumblings do seem to be getting louder about the fact that Cole Palmer, who’s a Wythenshawe boy up in Manchester, not particularly settled down in London,” Crook said.
“But I think United’s priorities lay elsewhere in the summer. We know the trio in the Premier League, in terms of midfielders, they’re interested in. Carlos Baleba, Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace.
“So Cole Palmer, a different type of profile. I guess if Bruno Fernandes does go at the end of the season, which I would probably say is a 60-40 shout at this moment in time, then maybe there could be space for Cole Palmer.
“But it’s going to take an astronomical offer to persuade Chelsea to cash in on, who on his day, is their best player.
“I think they’re a long way from coming to fruition.”
