Chelsea’s McFarlane defends Palmer amid injury-hit season and World Cup doubts

Key facts

• Cole Palmer has scored five non-penalty goals and registered three assists in 29 appearances this season.
• Palmer suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a 3-0 defeat to Brighton and ended Liam Rosenior's tenure as head coach.
• He returned as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United at Wembley.
• Palmer is in contention to start against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
• Interim head coach Calum McFarlane previously worked at Manchester City's academy during Palmer's U21 days.
• Levi Colwill has returned to full training after an ACL tear in August and may feature against Nottingham Forest.
• England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his 26-man World Cup squad this summer.

A season of firsts and frustrations

Cole Palmer has endured a campaign unlike any other in his young career. The 23-year-old Chelsea forward, who joined from Manchester City in September 2023 and immediately became the club's talisman, has been forced to navigate the first significant injury of his professional life. A hamstring issue has interrupted his rhythm twice this season, most recently sidelining him for a 3-0 defeat to Brighton that precipitated the departure of head coach Liam Rosenior after less than four months in charge. Palmer's statistical output has declined sharply: just five non-penalty goals and three assists in 29 appearances, a far cry from the form that made him one of the Premier League's most feared attackers. Pundits have questioned whether his performances warrant a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup.

McFarlane pushes back on the narrative

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane, who first observed Palmer as a teenager in Manchester City's Under-21s, has forcefully rejected the notion that the forward is underperforming. 'I don't agree with the narrative that he isn't playing well,' McFarlane said. 'There are games where he can impact more, but there have also been a lot of occasions where he's created good chances for players. He can't control whether those chances are finished.' McFarlane, 38, emphasised that Palmer's underlying creativity remains intact. 'He sees things that other people don't see,' he added, drawing a direct line between the player who dominated youth football and the one now operating at the highest level. 'There's not much difference. He's the same person, he plays the game with the same freedom.'

Injury, recovery and the fight for consistency

Palmer's season has been defined by interruptions. After a strong start, a hamstring problem halted his momentum in the second half of 2025. He returned to form in recent months only for a fresh hamstring issue to force him out of the Brighton defeat. He was fit enough only for the bench in Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United at Wembley, coming on as a second-half substitute. McFarlane acknowledged the difficulty of the period. 'It's been a difficult period for Cole. He's had the first injury that he's pretty much ever had in his career and he's had to learn how to deal with that.' The coach expressed confidence that Palmer can rebuild consistency over the final weeks of the season, saying: 'I do think he's had some really good games in the last three months, and it's just a case of building that consistency.'

World Cup stakes and England selection

Palmer's form has become a matter of national significance as England manager Thomas Tuchel prepares to name his 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer. With competition for attacking places fierce, any doubt over Palmer's sharpness could cost him a place on the plane. McFarlane, however, has no such concerns. 'He's still a top, top player, one of the best in the world for me,' he said. 'I have no concerns over Cole being ready to impact games from now to the end of the season, and hopefully in the World Cup in big moments for England.' The coach's vote of confidence carries weight given his long familiarity with Palmer's talent, dating back to City's academy. 'In my first season at City, Cole was in the Under-21s, and he was literally just on the brink of breaking into the first team,' McFarlane recalled.

Colwill's return adds defensive depth

Amid the focus on Palmer, another long-term absentee is nearing a comeback. Defender Levi Colwill, 23, has been sidelined since August after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season. He returned to full first-team training more than a month ago and has played twice for the Under-21s. McFarlane said Colwill could feature against Nottingham Forest on Monday, though his minutes will be carefully managed. 'When someone's had an injury for that long, you have to be patient,' McFarlane said. 'We just need to manage his minutes, not push him too much. We don't want to risk re-injuring him, but he looks brilliant and he is in a really good place. We are really hopeful we will see him before the end of the season.'

The road ahead: Forest and beyond

Chelsea resume their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday, with Palmer in contention to start for the first time since his latest hamstring setback. McFarlane is hopeful that the forward can make his mark on the remainder of the season, which includes five league matches and the potential for a strong finish. 'I'm really pleased with Cole. He shows us his talent every single day, his energy and his enthusiasm to play,' the coach said. The match at Stamford Bridge represents an opportunity for Palmer to silence his critics and state his case for a World Cup berth. For McFarlane, the player's trajectory remains clear. 'He's still a top player, one of the best in the world for me,' he reiterated, offering a message of unwavering support.

The bottom line

• Cole Palmer has scored only five non-penalty goals and three assists in 29 appearances this season, a significant drop from previous campaigns.
• The 23-year-old has dealt with the first major injury of his career, a hamstring issue that caused him to miss a defeat to Brighton and limited his role in the FA Cup semi-final.
• Interim head coach Calum McFarlane publicly rejects criticism of Palmer, citing his chance creation and underlying talent.
• Palmer's form is under scrutiny as England manager Thomas Tuchel prepares to select his World Cup squad.
• Defender Levi Colwill is close to returning from an ACL injury and could feature in the final five games.
• McFarlane, who coached Palmer at Manchester City's academy, insists the player has not changed fundamentally since his youth days.