Liverpool legend claims Chelsea’s season will derail after Cole Palmer returns

Liverpool legend John Barnes has warned Chelsea that Cole Palmer’s return from injury could hinder their season.

Cole Palmer is close to making his return to Chelsea training after a spell on the sideline because of a groin injury. The Englishman has been their star player since moving from Manchester City in 2023, but have managed to sit third in the Premier League this season without him.

While all Chelsea fans and manager Enzo Maresca are waiting for Palmer’s return, Liverpool legend John Barnes believes the Englishman could not be beneficial and derail their season. He told Video Gamer:

“Chelsea have been very good without Cole Palmer. What are they going to do when he comes back? I don’t necessarily think they’re going to be any better than they are right now.”

“In many respects, Palmer coming back could distract from the other players and they may not be as good as a team, because when he’s in the team it all has to be about him. They have to find the right balance.”

“He’s obviously a great player, but I don’t think his return is going to make them much better because they’ve been playing much more as a team without him. Watch this space.”

“I’m always wary of players who perform well individually in teams that aren’t as good. I remember Georgi Kinkladze being the best player at Manchester City when they got relegated in 1996 and if they’d had better team players rather than him, they may not have gone down.”

Palmer has been out injured since the 2-1 loss to Manchester United in September. Chelsea have lost once and drawn as many times in their 11 matches in all competitions since the Englishman got injured.