Cole Palmer has never hidden his affection for Manchester United.
But you would understand if the young Red, who grew up in Manchester City’s academy while playing for Chelsea, changed his allegiance at some point – it happens, ask Jamie Carragher.
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Palmer and Chelsea were a match made in heaven just six months ago.
With two goals in the Blues’ Club World Cup final win over Paris Saint-Germain and his stock rising as quickly as any player in world football, Palmer seemed to be in the right place for his development.
However, this season went wrong for the England international.
How have Chelsea fared without Palmer?
Palmer has played just 11 games while battling a nagging groin injury. His influence has waned and there is evidence that Chelsea can now function without the star.
The 23-year-old was not in the squad for Sunday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace and, worryingly for Palmer, it didn’t matter that he wasn’t there.
There was a perception under former manager Enzo Maresca that Chelsea couldn’t win without him, but that no longer appears to be the case.
And that’s not because Palmer is no longer a key player at Stamford Bridge, but because the two parties appear to be growing apart.
Rumors that the midfielder is inconsistent in west London are growing and Manchester United appear to be the only prominent suitors should he leave Chelsea in the near future.
And a move to his boyhood club could see Palmer reunited with Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox, who ran City’s academy during Palmer’s time there.
There are ongoing doubts over the long-term future of captain Bruno Fernandes, which is also fueling speculation of a blockbuster move to Old Trafford, with the Portuguese having reached an agreement with United to allow him to move to a foreign club for £57million this summer.
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Could Palmer really leave Chelsea for Manchester United?
Speaking about the possibility of Palmer moving to Old Trafford, The Pitch Prospect’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook said: “The rumors seem to be getting louder and louder about the fact that Cole Palmer, a Wythenshawe boy from Manchester, hasn’t particularly settled in in London.”
“But I think United’s priorities lie elsewhere in the summer. We know the trio in the Premier League in terms of the midfielders they are interested in: Carlos Baleba, Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace.”
“So Cole Palmer, a different kind of profile. I think if Bruno Fernandes leaves at the end of the season, which I think is probably a 60-40 ratio at this point, then maybe there could be room for Cole Palmer.”
“But it will take an astronomical offer to convince Chelsea to cash in on the best player at the time.
“I think they are still a long way from bearing fruit.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Stelling believes a potential mismatch between Chelsea and Palmer could be the reason for his dip in form at the moment.
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“There’s something wrong with Chelsea, isn’t there?” said Stelling.
“I don’t know how important it is for him to take part in the World Cup, but at the moment it looks like his place will be taken by someone else.
“I know he’s had his injury problems this season but he’s been, as Gabby would say, miles away in form.
“A million miles from what we expect from him. Of course he’s a wonderful, great player.
“I don’t know if the Club World Cup in the summer has had a negative impact. But he’s not the Cole Palmer we want to see and we love him.”
Chelsea fans are worried
Palmer is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2033, making him virtually untouchable unless a rival club makes an offer for a British record transfer.
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When that opportunity was offered to former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy, he insisted the Blues still need to match the ambition of their best players to keep them.
Chelsea are currently in a race to qualify for the Champions League after yet again failing to mount a meaningful title challenge.
Asked if there is a world in which Palmer leaves Chelsea, Cundy told The Pitch Prospect’s Inside Chelsea program: “I think so. The best players want to play in the best competitions and I don’t blame them.”
“Reece James won the Champions League. He doesn’t want to play in inferior competitions.”
“There will always be a concern that if you can’t offer them regular Champions League football, players will start to think about their options.”
Chelsea broadcaster Matisse Armani added: “It’s not just qualifying for the Champions League, it’s the race for the title.”
“We should be on an upward trajectory and if we’re still not competing next season, Palmer has every right to ask, ‘Why aren’t we in the title race?'”