Chelsea: Let's wake up Palmer!

If one must identify the factor that could spark an unbelievable comeback for Chelsea tonight, Cole Palmer would be the most anticipated figure. Can this 23-year-old forward rediscover his form against PSG tonight?

Chelsea fans cannot forget the 3-0 victory over PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13th last year. It is not an exaggeration to call that match the "Cole Palmer Show." The forward born in 2002 contributed his footprint to all three goals at MetLife Stadium. He scored a brace himself before assisting Joao Pedro to seal the final victory. That was precisely the match where Palmer established his status at Stamford Bridge.

Eight months have passed, and what is happening with Palmer? He has yet to regain his inherent form, though he is still considered a key player under Liam Rosenior. Since the start of the year, the former Man City player has only managed 6 goals and 3 assists for Chelsea across all competitions. In the last four matches, Palmer contributed just one goal in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa. He performed indistinctly for 82 minutes in the first leg against PSG, with only one shot hitting the target. Last weekend, Palmer fired three shots toward Newcastle's goal, but could not help Chelsea avoid defeat. Palmer's lack of sharpness is why Chelsea has been inconsistent this season and is facing difficulties in the Top 4 race against competitors like Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool.

If not a player of significant stature at Stamford Bridge, Palmer might have been benched by Rosenior given his current scoring form. Chelsea is brimming with attacking players for Rosenior to choose for each match and specific competition. But the 41-year-old manager understands clearly and patiently awaits the moment when this 23-year-old forward flashes brilliance. Palmer once shone by himself in the 3-1 win over Wolves with a hat-trick over a month ago. Further back, he recorded a brace of assists helping Chelsea defeat Napoli 3-2 to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Star quality is what Palmer can produce to make a difference in a match where Chelsea is deemed to have very little hope for an unbelievable comeback against PSG tonight. Moreover, Palmer needs to quickly regain his inherent class to earn points in the eyes of Thomas Tuchel. The England team will begin preparations for the 2026 World Cup with two friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan this month. Time is not waiting for Palmer as England currently boasts numerous excellent attacking midfielders. If Palmer does not quickly perform well in the remainder of the season, the risk of him missing the 2026 World Cup is very high. The match against PSG tonight will be a benchmark to assess whether Palmer meets the standards to aim for his first World Cup in his career.

All await him to revive the qualities displayed on American soil nearly a year ago.