Cole Palmer could seek a transfer to Barcelona in the summer if Chelsea fail to win a trophy this season, according to ex-Blues defender William Gallas.
Palmer is in his second season at Stamford Bridge since his switch from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, and although many questioned the move at the time the 22-year-old has proven to be a revelation in west London.
The Englishman has scored an impressive 31 goals in 54 games for the Blues, and has six in nine appearances this season including four in one game against Brighton.
Palmer's performances have seen him elevated to the senior England squad, and last week he was named as the England Player of the Year following a stellar 12 months which included him scoring in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
But as he continues to build his reputation in the game, former Chelsea defender Gallas - who played for the club between 2001 and 2008, making 225 appearances and winning two Premier League titles - fears that his old club could have a difficult conversation on their hands should they fail to match Palmer's rise.
"Barcelona would be a great move for him, but they have great young players already like Lamine Yamal and might also be signing Nico Williams," Gallas told Prime Casino.
"Palmer looks like he is going to have a very similar season to last year and even though he is young, it will be tough to see his friends winning trophies if he isn’t at Chelsea despite the way he is playing. I won’t be surprised if he wants to speak to Chelsea in the summer if they again fail to win a trophy. He will want to know clearly what their targets are.
"He has the ability to go anywhere he wants and be a success because he is a very special player. His quality is completely different to any other English player and he could be a huge success wherever he goes. Definitely."
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League and will face a stern test of their ambitions this season when they take on Liverpool at Anfield immediately after the international break.