- 22 hours ago
'We will see': Maresca makes SHOCK admission over Palmer Chelsea future
Suraj Radia
- 25 Feb 2025 00:45 CST
- 3 min read
Enzo Maresca has hinted that Cole Palmer could face an uncertain future at Chelsea if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Palmer has been a revelation for Chelsea ever since his €47 million move from Manchester City in 2023, although he has failed to provide a goal or assist in his last six matches for the first time in his career with the Blues.
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Despite Palmer renewing his contract in August until 2033, speculation has been rife over his future amid reports that the 22-year-old’s deal contains a release clause if Chelsea do not qualify for the Champions League.
Although some sources have rubbished claims of a release clause, Maresca raised eyebrows in his press conference prior to his side’s game against Southampton on Tuesday by admitting Palmer’s happiness will depend on where Chelsea finish in the Premier League.
“First of all we need to see how we finish. Then, in case we don't finish in the top four, we'll see if Cole is happy or not happy,” Maresca said. “But I don't think that Cole is worried in this moment about next year, that he wants to play in the Champions League.
“Cole is just focused on how he can help the team, how we can help him and how all together - as I said already many, many times this season - we can bring this club where this club has to be.”
Fatigue not to blame for Palmer form, insists Maresca
Having been as high as second and two points behind leaders Liverpool in December, Chelsea have taken just nine points from their last ten league matches since, with Maresca’s men now sitting in seventh.
Chelsea are still only one point outside the top four and the Blues will be desperate for Palmer to return to his best to end their poor run of form.
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STATS
Cole Palmer
M (CR)
Chelsea
Cole Palmer
M (CR)
Chelsea
However, Maresca insisted that Palmer’s decline in performances is not to do with fatigue, with the England international having topped a recent fitness test among the Chelsea squad.
Palmer has started every league match for Chelsea this season and played 90 minutes in 11 of his last 12 appearances but Maresca said: “Every six, seven months we do a physical test,” he explained. “We did in pre-season and we did last week and he was the strongest one. The one that won the test.”
