Cole Palmer, once regarded as Chelsea's clear ace, has recently faced criticism due to a noticeable decline in form.
The British outlet 'The Sun' reported on the 3rd, "Cole Palmer should not be sent to England's World Cup squad. The Chelsea star has declined in ability, and England cannot afford players like that."
Until quite recently, the mood was the exact opposite. Palmer was the key figure who led Chelsea to victory in the Club World Cup final held last July in New Jersey, USA.
He recorded two goals and one assist to lead a 3-0 rout against European champion Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and at the time he was expected to play a key role not only for Chelsea but also for the England national team.
But this season's form has not been good. Palmer has 10 goals and three assists in 29 matches across all competitions. On the surface those numbers do not look bad, but The Sun pointed out that excluding five penalty goals, his attacking productivity falls short of expectations.
Minor injuries have had an impact, but assessments say he has not been able to reproduce the explosive form he showed during his first year and a half after joining Chelsea even when fully fit.
The competitive dynamic within the England squad is also moving against Palmer. Under manager Thomas Tuchel, Morgan Rogers has expanded his role as an attacking midfielder, and if Harry Kane recovers from injury the front-line combinations will become even more competitive. Jude Bellingham has had form and fitness issues this season, but his versatility in covering both midfield and attack is seen as a strength.
The situation on the right flank is not easy either. If Bukayo Saka is at full fitness, the starting spot is effectively his. Jarrod Bowen is also mentioned as a strong candidate in backup competition. Bowen recorded 10 goals and 11 assists despite West Ham's poor season and is highly rated for his defensive contributions and work rate.
The Sun also judged that forcing Palmer into the left flank option is unrealistic. That position has other options such as Marcus Rashford and Antony Gordon. It added analysis that Everretch Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White could also be considered as wildcard candidates.
Of course, Palmer has the talent to change the course of a big game in an instant. He came on as a substitute and scored in the Euro 2024 final, and he left a strong impression by converting the first penalty in the shootout against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. But The Sun questioned whether the current Palmer is a must-have for the national team, saying, "There is no room for passengers in what will be the longest, hottest and toughest World Cup ever."
The outlet also argued that Palmer's omission could actually benefit both the player and Chelsea. The 23-year-old Palmer has hardly had a proper rest for nearly three years, and heavy match appearances have affected his fitness and performance.
Ultimately The Sun said, "Palmer himself and his supporters will desperately want him to go to the World Cup, but Tuchel is a manager who can make unpopular decisions without being swayed by big names," and added, "Palmer not going to the World Cup could be best for him and Chelsea, and it would not be a disaster for England."
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