Chelsea closed out 2024 with a dismal Premier League loss away to Ipswich Town. Liam Delap opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, and former Chelsea player Omar Hutchinson sealed the win with a second-half goal. Here’s a breakdown of the positives and negatives from the match:
Positives
1. Cole Palmer
Finding a positive in Chelsea’s dire performance at Portman Road Stadium isn’t easy. However, if there was one glimmer of hope, it was Cole Palmer. The team lacked a clear tactical plan, reminiscent of the old days when Eden Hazard had to carry Chelsea almost single-handedly. Similarly, Palmer showed flashes of his talent in an otherwise directionless team. Against Fulham, he managed to score, but on Monday, he couldn’t repeat the feat. The team’s inability to align their gameplay with Palmer’s strengths made Ipswich’s defense look far more comfortable than it should have been.