'The same thing': Paul Merson expects Chelsea's Cole Palmer to run into the same problem as Jude Bellingham
Paul Merson thinks Chelsea’s Cole Palmer may soon run into the same problem as Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
England are currently preparing to face Greece on Thursday night in the Nations League, with both Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham available for selection.
Blues playmaker Palmer, 22, is in the Three Lions camp after making a sensational start to his second season with Chelsea. He’s already made 11 goal contributions in seven Premier League games (six goals, five assists).
WhoScored has included Palmer in their Premier League Team of the Season so far after his form in the last couple of months in the No 10 position.
Meanwhile, Bellingham is also now into his second campaign as a Real Madrid player after a stunning debut year. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is yet to score in his opening eight games this term, but he’s still such a key figure for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Paul Merson expects Cole Palmer to encounter Jude Bellingham issue
Paul Merson has explained that opposition teams are now far more wary of the threat that high-profile England and Madrid star Bellingham possesses. He suggests that Chelsea’s Palmer will soon enough encounter the same issue where opponents single him out and try to nullify his threat.
“Playing at No 10’s going to be hard, international football’s a lot different. When you start playing against the big boys, the international big boys, people look out for you,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“The one thing that you get in the Premier League now is no one ever goes man-to-man with anyone, really. No one ever goes: ‘Stop Palmer playing. Stop Palmer, we’ll stop Chelsea.’
“On the international side, he’ll be alright at the moment. Bellingham’s got the reputation, not Palmer. He catches international teams cold, not so much Ireland but other teams won’t have played against him to know what he’s like.
“Bellingham goes across to Spain and scores 17 in 20 games. Then in the second half of the season, clubs wise up to it that he’s going to make late runs into the box. They’ve nipped that in the bud now, he doesn’t score a goal – now he’s got to think of something else.
“The same thing will happen to Palmer, but while he’s hot you play these players. You have to. If you can’t find a space for him now, I don’t see him playing for England. He can’t get any more consistent.”
Cole Palmer the maverick
We’re not always sure Palmer knows what he’s going to do when he steps on the football pitch, which makes it incredibly hard for other teams to stop him.
He’s very much an old-school footballer that plays off the cuff and with such freedom. We’ve seen a number of times already this season that he can make opponents look a bit silly if they get too close to him.
However, we agree it’ll become increasingly more difficult for him over time because he’s no longer got the element of surprise. His evolution into a top player will include him overcoming that hurdle to still impact games.
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