Has ice cold Cole Palmer gone off the boil?
A cursory glance at his recent statistics does not make for great reading. Three goals in 11 games across all competitions and zero assists in his last 13.
It would be easy to place that output alongside Chelsea's drop-off in form and lay the blame for the Blues' struggles at the feet of their star man.
But that would be an incorrect assessment.
Chelsea's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports, is a fitting moment to take a closer look at Palmer's performances and the real problems Enzo Maresca's side are facing.
It was back on December 1, against Villa at Stamford Bridge, where Palmer recorded his most recent assist, stroking the ball into the feet of Enzo Fernandez to poke in Chelsea's second of the afternoon. Palmer wrapped up the 3-0 win himself, with a wonderful curling strike into the top corner.
The result moved Chelsea up to third in the Premier League table, level on points with Arsenal. Maresca had to field questions about whether his team were title contenders in his post-match press conference.
No one is asking him that now.
While Chelsea won their next three Premier League games after that Villa success, they went on to draw three and lose four of their next nine, with a collapse from mid-December putting their Champions League qualifying hopes in serious doubt.
The 3-0 loss at Brighton last Friday was labelled Chelsea's worst performance of the Maresca era, with the visitors failing to even land a shot on target at the Amex.
During the match, Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher highlighted a moment of annoyance from Palmer. "I just watched Cole Palmer do something silly and daft," he said on co-commentary. "But it's a frustration, not just because of today but it's after what's been going on for the last few months.
"Trying to walk through three players when it's not onโฆ but that's almost frustration - like if he passes the ball, what are his team-mates going to do with it?"
The stats show why Palmer may have been feeling that way.
Ironically, during this drought of assists, when casual observers have started to question Palmer's contribution, his creativity has actually increased.
Palmer recorded six assists in the first 13 games of this season. During the 12 games since, the expected assists data - which measures the quality of the chances he produces - has almost doubled, from 2.63 to 4.15.
In fact, across the entirety of this season, Palmer can feel aggrieved for not having more assists to his name, given the number of big chances he has created for his team-mates.
Only Bukayo Saka has carved out more clear-cut openings, yet the Arsenal player and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, who has created 18 big chances - like Palmer - both have significantly more assists.
Of course, wastefulness in the frontline is nothing new to Chelsea fans. There has been criticism of Nicolas Jackson for some time - and the Senegal striker has the worst big-chance conversion rate among players who have had 20 or more of those must-score moments this season.
Noni Madueke (11 big chances missed from 15) and Christopher Nkunku (five missed from seven) have also seen goal-scoring moments pass them by.
Perhaps the real frustration for Chelsea is that Palmer cannot be on the end of the chances he creates himself.
In the past 10 Premier League games, Palmer has only had two big chances of his own and he has scored them both, kicking off the New Year with back-to-back strikes against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
His 47 per cent conversion rate of big chances is the best at Chelsea of players who have had at least two such openings.
They have plenty of problems right now - but Palmer is not one of them.
Taybiklstu
0
plomb 2
QhobbyโDherk
0
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
He had a stellar season last season because of penalties according to you right? Well, what about this season? 2024/2025 top scorers does not include any Arsenal player even in the top 15๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
QhobbyโDherk
0
Still waiting to see the trophy Arsenal won in 2021
Bro that kid has got no trophy in his cabinet to show unless he creates one for himself ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Hassansino
0
The most stupid and error Chelsea made is sign Sancho in loan while they have Felix who can operate at winger..man this dude killing this team
Jaaadlmorz
1
palmer still remained a star and playermaker in the chelsea team. if he to be in arsenal or liverpool he would be a top scorer. please don't compare him with saka at arsenal. the absence of saka did not affect the team. it's a sign that he is not the only key player despite scoring more goals. arsenal have all sides goalscorer. ordegaad,trassord, rice,thomas and gabriel matinell all can score. even now they are still continue scoring without saka. the drought goal for palmer caused by sporting directors not adding a quality playmaker to the squad. opponents have studied maresca methods, which slow the speed of attacking and find difficult to break their defensive. what the opponents do,they make sure palmer not to have ball near the box or inside the box. enzo and caisedo both they sit deep from attack and have more times to make more back passes. man city, arsenal and liverpool goals are been shared among the attacking players. man united and chelsea have poor attacks and each team can defend them easily for 90min. it's pity to say that chelsea players can assist palmer like he do to them,we have seen more chances being missing assistanted by palmer. for me he,s a quality player it's only a good and experience coach can get the best out of him.
Mitchello2
0
Its bias to credit him wnith praise when the team is winner only to exempt him from criticism when the team performance drops. True light shines brightest in the dark not during the day
Ernest_Ziggy
1
sancho and Noni is not helping at all
Nitcknrsu
0
no its cole who can solve de hole problem guuy but team work ,okey y our board are bizzy releasiing good prayers to lons
Nitcknrsu
0
cole for now he cant hold poosition ten ,coz he loses the ball eny how ,for now he caant be haarzad ,hee must learnn how to protect the ball ,
Bubbcepsy
0
Another Overrated English player overhyped by English media
VIKINGSB
1
2021
Still waiting to see the trophy Arsenal won in 2021
VIKINGSB
1
๐๐๐๐ first be in the top four then talk average chelsea ๐๐๐
This is what I gained from being in top four. Can you say same about Arsenal? You're nothing, but spectators in Europe [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
VIKINGSB
0
2021
Which trophy did Arsenal win in 2021?.
nastyswae
0
Please still waiting for the answer to this question... when last did Arsenal won a major trophy?.
2021
nastyswae
0
Are you a Liverpool fan?. Why not speak for your talented workers working in the BOTTLING COMPANY...
[image]
๐๐๐๐ first be in the top four then talk average chelsea ๐๐๐
VIKINGSB
1
That is one of the useless stats to say someone is better Salah hasnโt achieved that so you now saying palmer is better๐๐๐
Are you a Liverpool fan?. Why not speak for your talented workers working in the BOTTLING COMPANY...
nastyswae
0
Just don't stop crying cuz none of Arsenal past or present players has done this before. Stats don't lie...
[image]
That is one of the useless stats to say someone is better Salah hasnโt achieved that so you now saying palmer is better๐๐๐
VIKINGSB
0
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
Please still waiting for the answer to this question... when last did Arsenal won a major trophy?.
VIKINGSB
0
And that stat doesnโt prove that he is the best๐
Still he did what none of the Arsenal players has never done in the history of football
VIKINGSB
0
Funny thing is that we bottle the league and you finish in conference league places๐๐๐
We finished there just to give you space to level up, but you still can't...
VIKINGSB
0
When is the last time chelsea won a cup๐๐๐
Chelsea became the Champions of the World in 2022. When did Arsenal last won a major trophy?.
VIKINGSB
1
When is the last time chelsea won a cup๐๐๐
Check it yourself, and tell me when Arsenal would approach this level...
nastyswae
0
NO! I celebrate this ๐[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
[image]
Funny thing is that we bottle the league and you finish in conference league places๐๐๐
nastyswae
0
Better than [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
[image]
When is the last time chelsea won a cup๐๐๐
nastyswae
0
And thats what you have been celebrating all season right that stat only๐๐
And that stat doesnโt prove that he is the best๐
VIKINGSB
0
And thats what you have been celebrating all season right that stat only๐๐
NO! I celebrate this ๐[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
nastyswae
0
Just don't stop crying cuz none of Arsenal past or present players has done this before. Stats don't lie...
[image]
And thats what you have been celebrating all season right that stat only๐๐
VIKINGSB
0
๐๐๐๐ conference chelsea
Better than [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...
Gbengababs
1
I laugh when people compare this guy to Saka. Heโs good but Saka is consistent. Saka never had a drought this long even when Arsenal were in the slumps
You're saying trash Put your Saka in Chelsea and Palmer in that Arsenal team to see Wonder
VIKINGSB
0
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
Just don't stop crying cuz none of Arsenal past or present players has done this before. Stats don't lie...
nastyswae
0
Why your talented players don't help Arsenal win league up till now?. You should be crying for your team not other team. Or you think finishing 2nd is a trophy?.
๐๐๐๐ conference chelsea
VIKINGSB
1
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
Why your talented players don't help Arsenal win league up till now?. You should be crying for your team not other team. Or you think finishing 2nd is a trophy?.
focaeimsu
1
Please maresca you need to change your tuck ticks
nastyswae
0
What penalties are you talking about??only 3 penalties.What about 11 goals are they penalties nonsense
Seems like you are not getting what I am saying ๐๐๐ lol
miodkprsuz
2
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
What penalties are you talking about??only 3 penalties.What about 11 goals are they penalties nonsense
ZAZA19
0
I laugh when people compare this guy to Saka. Heโs good but Saka is consistent. Saka never had a drought this long even when Arsenal were in the slumps
starzFC
0
it will be very sad if palmer decides to leave .. and honestly I wouldn't hate him for it ..the owners of this club are shit that's why we in this situation the problem is starting from the decision making towards this club the whole buying young players ,getting mid level coaches is bullshit to its best ..the only good thing that has come out all this cole palmer
Ciyabdkrs
0
hello
memabcentu
1
I want to remind you people that is not a coach matter is players
memabcentu
1
some of you people didn't know what's called football that's why you people always say is the coach
Pehcdlmnrt
1
if they like let them drop to relegation
nastyswae
0
how many non penalty goal does Palmer had this season in the PL? no of Arsenal player scored such amount of goals you scarecrow not even Bellingham
You still compare him to Jude๐
Biodilmnyz
2
The coach is the problem
nastyswae
0
how many non penalty goal does Palmer had this season in the PL? no of Arsenal player scored such amount of goals you scarecrow not even Bellingham
11 non penalty goals and he started each game while the arsenal players got 9 and have been sidelined for a while๐๐ palmer is just average๐๐ no feelings sometimes he even cost the tesm for his selfishness๐ ๐
nastyswae
1
What about this season?... because he as at score all ur attacking players
Outscore them because they have been injured most of the games๐๐ Just admit he is average 11 non penalty goals to 9 non penalty goals ๐๐ Average player who is overhyped
Vuudnpsuz
0
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
What about this season?... because he as at score all ur attacking players
elkay23
1
this guy is no Hazard, he can play well, but not yet a game changer like Hazard or Oscar, he needs to be consistent, if he can't score, he should assist, if he can't assist, he must impress by showing off
Boickie
0
Ice Cold Palmer is going colder with Chelsea each passing day
he had more non penalty goals that all Arsenal players bro including your strikers
Boickie
1
No penalties no Palmer๐๐ this guy flourished bedause of the penalties he had last season he is just an average player but too much hype, I remember he was even compared to Bellingham last season๐๐
how many non penalty goal does Palmer had this season in the PL? no of Arsenal player scored such amount of goals you scarecrow not even Bellingham
Jayabdmy
1
Bing back Jose