Analysis: How Palmer can reignite Chelsea's misfiring attack

Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 16.

Player analysis: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer’s season has been severely disrupted by groin and toe injuries that have forced him to miss 10 of Chelsea’s 15 Premier League matches so far.

Now fit and available, the talented 23-year-old is expected to start against Everton this weekend.

A well-timed return

Chelsea have stuttered since emphatically beating Barcelona 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League in November and are without a win in four matches in all competitions.

While they deserved credit for a strong performance with 10 men against Arsenal, Chelsea were undeniably flat against Leeds United, AFC Bournemouth and Atalanta.

Facing a well-organised Everton side who earned victories at Manchester United and Bournemouth in their last two away contests, keeping clean sheets in both, an upturn in attacking verve will be required.

How Chelsea compare across first 15 matches, 25/26

*Per 90

As shown above, Chelsea’s creative numbers have been poor across their last four top-flight matches.

Averaging just one big chance and goal per game, they have been short on ideas compared to earlier on in the campaign.

With Liam Delap injured, and Joao Pedro not in prolific form – scoring just twice in the league since August – Palmer’s availability will provide the side with a welcome lift.

He was quiet in the goalless draw at Vitality Stadium, registering just a single shot, but after being rested for Chelsea’s midweek defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League, Palmer should be much sharper on Saturday.

Why is Palmer so important to Chelsea?

While Maresca will be pleased 11 players have shared out Chelsea’s top-flight goals this season, he knows that Palmer is his most reliable player in terms of productivity.

Since he joined the Blues in the summer of 2023, only three Premier League players have delivered more direct-goal contributions than Palmer.

Most PL goals and assists since start of 23/24

Last season, Palmer was Chelsea’s leading scorer (15) and assister (eight), creating 24 big chances for team-mates.

Putting that into context, Enzo Fernandez was the next closest, with 13.

Palmer adds a significant layer to the Blues’ creativity inside the final third, as he is always willing to shoot and stays calm at key moments.

Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City, he has been far and away the Blues' most productive player, and that guarantee of goals and assists has been missed.

Most Chelsea PL goals and assists since Sep 2023

Chelsea’s record with and without Palmer

As you might expect, Chelsea tend to score more goals and win more matches when their talisman is available to start.

How Chelsea fare with/without Palmer since 23/24

Where will Palmer play?

The smart money will be on Palmer starting against the Toffees in his favoured central No 10 spot.

It is where he featured last time out, and the position he scored his only Premier League goal of 2025/26 from so far, at Brentford back in September after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Guiding a precise half volley into the corner, it was a reminder of how clinical he can be.

WATCH: Palmer's goal v Brentford

In general, Enzo Maresca has preferred to use Palmer in behind his centre-forward.

He was superb coming in off the right flank in 2023/24, but with a plethora of natural wingers in his squad, it makes more sense to use Palmer in a free role instead.

Since Maresca arrived at Stamford Bridge, the majority of Palmer’s minutes have come in that position.

Palmer's PL minutes and positions played under Maresca

Interestingly, when you study Palmer’s heat map for this campaign (three starts, two subs), you can see he has leaned heavily to pockets which are left of centre, as you can see below.

This is to accommodate the forward runs of Fernandez, who plays deeper when Palmer is named as the No 10.

The Argentinian loves to drive forward from positions to the right of centre, with Chelsea’s shape developing into a 4-1-4-1 when they are on the front foot.

Palmer naturally moves left in those scenarios.

Maresca’s big plan B

Chelsea’s astute head coach is not wedded to the idea Palmer MUST play in central areas.

In some of the Blues’ toughest tests, we have seen the Italian utilise him floating in off the right side, just as he did under previous boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The best examples came in their astounding 3-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final, and in a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Beefing up his midfield with Moises Caicedo, Reece James and Fernandez just ahead of them on both occasions, Palmer was sensational coming in off the right.

He combined very well with Joao Pedro (see below) in New Jersey, profiting from the Brazilian’s angled decoy run to score, before slipping him in for a goal himself.

Palmer also has a strong rapport with right-back Malo Gusto when he features in this role.

With the Frenchman supplying the width, Palmer has proved adept at popping up on his inside to hurt opponents.

While he is unlikely to adopt this tactic against Everton, do not be surprised if Maresca chooses this approach in matches where Chelsea are viewed as underdogs.

Palmer’s ability to wreak havoc in this hybrid role allows Chelsea to sacrifice an out-and-out No 10 in matches where they are expected to defend more often.

Could Estevao and Palmer start together against Everton?

Chelsea supporters are understandably excited at the prospect of wonder kid Estevao teaming up with Palmer.

Their only start together came at Man Utd, but that was curtailed after just six minutes when Estevao was sacrificed following Robert Sanchez’s red card.

While Maresca has gone on record to suggest that in the long term, he views the 18-year-old Brazilian as a No 10, he has promised to use them in tandem, with Estevao out on the right.

“They can play together,” Maresca said when asked about Palmer and Estevao before their recent encounter with Arsenal.

“It depends on which team; it depends a little bit on the game plan, but the fans are excited to watch both together. We are also excited, thinking that at the end we always need a balance between the two phases.”

Having rested both players in Italy on Tuesday night, there is a chance we could see Palmer operating on the inside of right winger Estevao this weekend.

That is a combination bursting with promise and natural talent and could get Chelsea back on track against the Toffees.

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