Cole Palmer rediscovered his best form as Chelsea began the Premier League season with a thrilling 3-2 win at Fulham, but Jamie Carragher believes their hopes of challenging for the title will be damaged if they continue with Robert Sanchez in goal.
Palmer delivered the confidence, creativity and finishing that made him one of the division’s most exciting players after joining Chelsea. His performance was a reminder of the swagger that had appeared to fade during a difficult campaign disrupted by injuries.
Asked by Sky Sports whether he was ready for the new season, Palmer said: “Did you not watch the game? I’m only joking, I’m ready. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through the summer and since I’ve been back I’ve worked extra hard.
“Obviously with the injuries I’ve had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out. I know the talent I’ve got so I can put in performances like that.
“Normally I’m not an emotional person, the people who know me know I’m not usually bothered about things in life, but over the summer I rested, I recharged and yeah I’m ready and I’m hungry.”
Palmer was controversially omitted from England’s World Cup squad this summer by manager Thomas Tuchel. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville suggested that disappointment could ultimately benefit the Chelsea forward.
Neville said: “Look, maybe it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Cole Palmer, because maybe his career is just drifting a little bit and he gets a massive kick up the backside. Sometimes my dad used to say to me, you need to kick up the backside and a reminder in life that you’ve got to basically retain that hunger every single minute of every single day.
“A point midway through my career, where I dropped off for about a year and a half and all of a sudden, you just get a reality check and you realise things don’t come easy, and you’ve got to maintain that standard.
“That tonight was the old Cole Palmer, that we were used to seeing complete years ago, a year or so ago. And he is unbelievable to watch. That is the best performance I’ve seen all weekend. It makes you smile every time you watch someone like that, and he’s a brilliant player.”
Chelsea’s new era under Xabi Alonso made an explosive start, with Joao Pedro scoring after only 31 seconds. The visitors produced an attacking display that was occasionally scintillating, while new signing Morgan Rogers formed an effective partnership with close friend Palmer.
Carragher was impressed by the quality of Chelsea’s forward line.
“There were things to really like. On paper, that front three is sensational. It really is. It looked it in the game. I think Joao Pedro is fantastic. Rogers’ first game, what a start. But when you think of him, Palmer and Pedro – that’s as good as anything in the Premier League right now.”
Neville also praised Chelsea’s attacking threat, saying Palmer’s performance indicated the value of a player who could be worth between £120m and £125m.
“The attacking play, Palmer sensational. If you talk about Palmer getting back to his best you’ve got a £120m-£125m player there. Rogers getting a goal. Those two being electric with Joao Pedro up front. The front three were brilliant tonight. One of the best things I’ve seen this weekend.”
However, Chelsea’s display also renewed concerns about the position behind their defence. Sanchez was involved in moments during the match that raised doubts over whether he can be relied upon at the highest level, with Fulham scoring twice.
Carragher was emphatic that Chelsea cannot win the Premier League with the Spain international as their goalkeeper.
“Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible.
“And you’d think of the teams who’ve won the title. Last three teams who won the title have all changed the goalkeeper. Pep Guardiola bringing in Ederson. Alisson comes in for Liverpool. Arsenal don’t win the league if they have Aaron Ramsdale in goal, not David Raya. Impossible.
“So, one of the biggest reasons why Arsenal won the league, actually, was Raya, they wouldn’t have won the league without them. You can go back to history.”
Neville agreed that Alonso may need to recruit an experienced goalkeeper if Chelsea are to compete with Arsenal. He said the club had strengthened across the pitch, including in attack, midfield and defence, but warned that goalkeeper was a position where taking risks could prove particularly costly.
“Alonso’s been brought in as the manager of the football club, not as the coach. And when you’re managing a football club, and I know from the manager that I played under, you have to make some pretty brutal and ruthless decisions. They’re strengthening every single position, in the forward areas, they brought brilliant players in, experience in midfield, they’ve got defenders that have come in.
“You cannot take a chance with goalkeeper. I said before, it’s the most difficult position on the pitch. It’s the one that carries the most scrutiny. It’s the one that if you have got a goalkeeper that’s making mistakes and he’s anxious, it will undermine everything that you’re trying to do.
“And I think in the next seven or eight days, Alonso may have to just make a decision that he needs to bring in an experienced goalkeeper, because his job is to be successful for Chelsea.
“It may be that he sticks with Robert Sanchez, but I think he has to protect himself. “
