Cole Palmer has reportedly not ruled out leaving Chelsea and joining Premier League rivals Manchester United, who are his boyhood club.
The Englishman was at the heart of the Blues' 3-1 victory against champions Liverpool on Sunday, contributing significantly in the buildup to his side's first two goals before scoring a late penalty to seal the win.
Palmer's goal was his first for Chelsea since January 14, a period in which he played 18 games in all competitions, though he still ranks as the team's top goalscorer (15).
Boss Enzo Maresca will hope that the 22-year-old can regain his form ahead of the club's push for Champions League football, but there are concerns about his future if the Blues fail to qualify for Europe's Premier competition.
Transfer expert Miguel Delaney has claimed that Palmer would be open to joining rivals Manchester United, though said that any transfer is unlikely to materialise this summer.
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Why Chelsea should be worried
During his 2023-24 season at Stamford Bridge, the Englishman managed to score 25 goals and produce 15 assists, with his tally of 40 goal contributions at least 17 more than anybody else at the club.
Despite experiencing more difficulties in the second half of 2024-25, Palmer has still netted 15 goals and provided nine assists, and someone of his talent would not look out of place in the Champions League.
Maresca's side are currently in fifth place in the Premier League with 63 points and they occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, but they are only three points ahead of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who they play in their final game of the season on May 25.
It is difficult to see Palmer remaining at Stamford Bridge should the Londoners continue to miss out on elite European football, and his exit would likely set the club back considerably.
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Would Palmer fit at United?
Palmer's ability to unlock opposition defences from either out wide or in central zones would be of benefit to Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who prefers to utilise two attacking midfielders in his 3-4-3 setup.
Bruno Fernandes is a relentless athlete and his hard work off the ball would complement Palmer's more lax approach out of possession.
It should also be said that Fernandes will be 31 in September this year, and signing Chelsea's talisman would ensure that Amorim would have a natural successor to the Portuguese playmaker.
Lewis Nolan
