Chelsea: Kasey Palmer’s options open up as he remains for preseason

Kasey Palmer was somewhat of a late addition to the Chelsea squad travelling to Japan. With two clubs interested in a transfer and now an extended look at preseason, Palmer’s options are staying open.

Kasey Palmer survived the first cull of Frank Lampard’s preseason squad. He was not among the eight players sent back to London between Chelsea’s two games in Ireland. This was a doubly promising sign, as Palmer fit the profile of one subset of those early returnees and his loan history overlaps with several players who will not be with the Blues next season (or ever).

At age 22 with five loans to his name, Palmer would have fit in with Isaiah Brown, Lewis Baker and Lucas Piazon on the ride back. Palmer and Brown played together on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of 2016/17. Palmer was most recently on loan at Bristol City, where he played with Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva, who have since become permanent Robins.

Bristol City are still interested in acquiring the final piece of their Blue triumvirate. Palmer has been in and out of the Bristol City rumour mill throughout the summer, which has been particularly active for the Championship strivers. Swansea City entered the mix this week, as well, with Sky Sports saying an offer could be imminent.

The Carefree Youth account suggests Palmer’s inclusion in the squad travelling to Japan was about necessity as much as, if not more than, preference. Willian picked up an injury during the Copa America and is not yet ready to join the squad. This left a spot open for a forward, and Palmer has played on both wings as well as his usual role in attacking midfield.

Chelsea’s winger situation remains a major question mark, even with Christian Pulisic meeting the squad in Japan. Until Callum Hudson-Odoi returns from injury and his condition fully evaluated, the Blues will not know how deep their winger corps is and what they have available to them in terms of physical and tactical attributes. Palmer can help fill in gaps in the training and preseason fixture squads, and remains an extra option for Frank Lampard.

However, he would need to show Lampard something significant to stay with the squad for the season. The majority of his career and his best loan performances have come as an attacking midfielder, a position for which Chelsea already have an abundance of experience, quality options.

Palmer could be a regular in either Bristol City’s and Swansea City’s squads, but would be a depth option for Chelsea.

The team’s well-executed 4-diamond-2 against St. Patrick’s Athletic shows Frank Lampard is emphasizing formations that minimize the role of wingers, which makes the most sense considering who he has available. Palmer is unlikely to sway Lampard’s thinking on the best formation to use for a given situation, nor would he have a chance of displacing any of his three midfield compatriots above him in the depth chart. He would likely be a substitute or domestic cup player who can slot in to the midfield diamond or in a 4-2-3-1, without playing a key or consistent role in either.

Regardless, Palmer now has another chance to further extend his stay on Chelsea’s preseason tour. He may just be in a two-man competition with Kenedy going into the next cull, or the two serial loanees may both pack their bags by the end of the month.

Kasey Palmer at least has two suitors making themselves known. Chelsea have been doing good business with Bristol City and they are a club moving in the right direction, so Palmer could do worse than returning to Ashton Gate.

Like many players in his position over the years, a strong preseason may “only” land him a strong loan, but that’s better than the alternative of the nether reaches of the loan army.