Chelsea fans will love January transfer claim as Cole Palmer troubles explained

Fans of Chelsea Football Club will undoubtedly love the fact that the Blues are hoping to make a significant January striker signing. The latest transfer claim regarding the west London team does, however, concern a star player they wanted but missed out on before. Will CFC boss Enzo Maresca get his man in the new year?

In addition to that media story, the likely reason for Chelsea and England attacker Cole Palmer's troubles has been explained. Along with writers, Maresca also weighed in on the matter. So, what's going on with the former Manchester City starlet who is struggling to reclaim the form of 2023/24 which propelled him to worldwide stardom? And will the 22-year-old become as influential at Stamford Bridge and further afield once more?

Cole Palmer receives much attention, mostly unwanted

First of all, I am not concerned with Palmer's form at all. Special and gifted - or, potentially, generational - footballers such as the Blues forward only suffer lapses or minor setbacks and issues. Remember, at his preeminent level, form is temporarily but class is permanent and will return very soon.

Consistency is less of a problem for the most outstanding sportspeople as well, of course. Palmer is even an anomaly in that instance: an Ice-cool persona and disposition enable the attacking midfielder to dispatch in the most awkward and testing of moments on the pitch.

Therefore there's really nothing to be anxious about with respect to Palmer's arguably flawed start to the season. But what exactly are his stats and how do they compare to the previous campaign? Essentially, on paper, he's actually had a great start: five goal involvements in four games.

Yet three assists and one goal came in a single match, away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Another piece of facilitating has followed to be fair. In contrast if you weren't aware, it took Palmer four fixtures to begin firing for the Blues when he was initially acquired from Man City.

While Palmer won over further fans of the sport in his 90 minutes at Molineux a few week ago, he is being marked very tightly this term in general. In fact, he was man-marked and fouled four times versus Bournemouth. Clearly opposing managers have taken steps to neutralise the Three Lions man. But Maresca will devise a plan:

"These kind of players are probably going to have these things. Cook was marking him [Palmer] for 95 minutes man-to-man before we put him wide. It is not easy for Cole or any player. You need to find a different solution."

- Enzo Maresca

Chelsea consider pre-January Victor Osimhen agreement

Osimhen is back in Blues news. Is there a chance he'll sign in 2025?

"Chelsea are considering a move to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in January thanks to a break clause in his loan deal with Galatasaray, sources have told Football Insider."