Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has expressed doubts about Cole Palmer's mentality, questioning whether the 24-year-old possesses the 'killer' instinct required for elite football. Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, Palmer has established himself as a Premier League star, scoring 22 goals in his debut season. However, his form has declined, with 15 goals in 2024/25 and just 10 last season, partly due to a groin problem that limited him to 26 appearances. His dip in performance has even cost him a place in England's World Cup squad.
Desailly's Critique
Desailly, who played 222 times for Chelsea, believes Palmer has been too passive about his role on the pitch. He noted that Palmer is often deployed on the right wing rather than his preferred number 10 position behind the striker. 'What a talent – there’s nothing to say against the talent of Palmer. The only doubt I have around Palmer is how he has been used. He’s playing on the right side,' Desailly told MrRaffle.com. 'I saw him more, like Enzo Fernández, playing in that position behind a striker and having the responsibility for the offensive animation. They did not give him that role. But I could also see that he never came out and said, “I can do it, I am ready for it.”'
Lack of Killer Instinct
The World Cup winner emphasized that top players must have a ruthless mentality. 'I feel that mentally, the talent is there – no doubt – but mentally he’s not a killer. Each top player has to be a killer inside himself. He wants to win trophies, he wants to be the best, and he’s ready to work hard to become the best. I feel that Palmer is satisfied if he has to stay, okay; if he has to go, okay. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with anything.'
Advice for Palmer
Desailly urged Palmer to demand a central role from incoming manager Xabi Alonso, who takes over on July 1. 'Because of the level he has reached today, he has to step up. Even though he’s young, he has to protect his status and take responsibility for success and also for the problems the team is facing. He needs to ask the coach to stop putting him right, left, up, down, striker, or on the right. He needs to say, “No, I want to play as a number 10. I am capable of it, adapt the system to me.” So he’s not yet a killer. Talented, but no killer.'
Palmer has expressed excitement about Alonso's arrival, telling Sky Sports, 'Everyone’s excited. He’s a top manager, so we can’t wait to get started.' The potential departure of Enzo Fernández, who is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City, could open up the number 10 role for Palmer. However, Chelsea's £120 million asking price for Fernández may be a stumbling block.
