Cole Palmer future questioned as Desailly raises Chelsea transfer fears

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer could eventually consider his future away from Stamford Bridge if the club fail to mount a genuine Premier League title challenge, according to former Blues captain Marcel Desailly.

Palmer, now in his third season in west London, has been one of the standout successes of the club’s recent rebuild. Signed from Manchester City for around £40m, the 23-year-old has quickly established himself as Chelsea’s most reliable attacking force in a period marked by inconsistency elsewhere in the squad.

Despite Palmer’s individual brilliance, Chelsea remain outside the Premier League title conversation, with Champions League qualification once again the realistic target. That gap between personal excellence and collective ambition is what Desailly believes could eventually become decisive.

Speaking to Card Player, the former defender suggested Palmer’s patience may hinge on whether Chelsea can realistically challenge for domestic honours in the near future.

“The question is whether he feels like Chelsea are going to win the Premier League in the next two seasons,” Desailly said. “If he doesn’t, I’m sure he will ask for a transfer request to a club that will build a system around him.”

Desailly was careful to stress that any potential move should be handled with respect toward the club that backed Palmer when others hesitated.

“If Cole Palmer decides to move away from Chelsea then that’s his business,” he added. “But I just want him to respect the club, because they are the ones who have given him the tools to become the player he is now.”

Palmer’s debut campaign in west London underlined his elite potential, as he scored 25 goals across competitions and translated that form onto the international stage with England.

Chelsea’s managerial churn has also shaped the discussion. Palmer has been deployed in multiple positions, a reflection of his versatility but also of tactical instability. Desailly suggested that long-term clarity could be just as important as trophies.

“I would love him to stay at Stamford Bridge because he’s got a key role in the team, even if Enzo Maresca used him in various positions,” Desailly said. “I believe Palmer wants more stability and a system that’s built for him.”

Having followed Chelsea’s evolution closely this season, Palmer’s influence remains undeniable, but consistency around him has been harder to find.

Palmer has recently returned from a groin injury and is still working back toward peak condition. Desailly believes that, for now, the focus should remain firmly on performance rather than speculation.

“He still needs to fully recover from his groin injury and get back to full fitness,” he said. “His recent performances speak for themselves, so he needs to stay humble and come back into the team to help the club, regardless of whether he stays or goes.”

With Liam Rosenior now at the helm, how Chelsea are built around Palmer — and whether he is positioned as the clear focal point — may prove decisive. Rosenior’s early tactical choices and long-term vision could have a significant influence on whether Palmer sees his future in blue.

Chelsea’s immediate priority remains securing Champions League qualification, while Palmer focuses on regaining full fitness. Over the next two seasons, progress toward domestic contention will likely determine whether speculation fades or intensifies.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions, with Palmer under long-term contract and Chelsea still evolving under new leadership.

Should Chelsea be building their entire project around Cole Palmer?