Chelsea welcome Premier League bottom dwellers, Southampton, to Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 27. The Blues have endured a rough patch, winning just two of their last ten league games, but they now face a struggling Saints side that has been the league’s whipping boys this season.
At their current trajectory, Southampton are on course to be one of the worst teams in Premier League history, making this a prime opportunity for Chelsea to regain confidence. With goals hard to come by in recent weeks, the Blues will be eager to put a few past their struggling opponents and secure a much-needed victory at the Bridge.
Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s standout performer this season, Cole Palmer, has gone somewhat quiet in recent weeks—mirroring the struggles of the entire squad. The Blues have managed just two wins in their last ten Premier League games, highlighting their overall inconsistency.
Yet, despite Chelsea’s difficulties, Palmer remains the team's biggest attacking threat. With 14 goals and six assists, he is Chelsea’s top scorer and creator this season. However, the burden on him has been immense, something manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged in a recent press conference:
""The problem is that we rely on Cole for everything. I've said from the start, we need to rely on the team. For sure, we need big players like Cole, but we are not worried about him at all.""Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer
While Palmer’s output is currently behind last season’s incredible 33 goal contributions, his home form remains strong. Eight goals and four assists at Stamford Bridge this season put him second only to Mohamed Salah in terms of home goal involvements.
One key factor in his dip in form has been Nicolas Jackson’s absence. The Senegalese forward’s relentless running and movement provided Palmer with an outlet, allowing him to dictate play in the final third. Christopher Nkunku, a different type of forward, hasn’t quite replicated that dynamic, which has impacted Palmer’s effectiveness.
That said, Palmer scored in Chelsea’s dominant 5-1 win over Southampton earlier this season, and he will be expected to lead the attack against a struggling Saints side fighting for survival under Ivan Jurić. If Chelsea can rediscover some attacking fluidity, Palmer is the likeliest player to make the difference.