Cole Palmer's Goal Drought Hurts Chelsea's Top-Four Hopes

**Cole Palmer’s Struggles Continue: Chelsea Star’s Barren Run Extends to Nine Matches**

📅 **Published: March 9, 2025** | 📍

Chelsea’s rising star, Cole Palmer, is enduring a tough spell as his goal drought stretches to nine matches. Despite his determination to play through illness, Palmer missed a crucial penalty in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday. This marked the first time he failed to convert a Premier League penalty, ending his perfect record of 12 successful attempts.

🔑 **Key Highlights:**

- **Penalty Miss:** Palmer’s well-struck penalty was saved by Leicester’s Mads Hermansen, breaking his flawless record.

- **Illness & Determination:** Palmer played despite missing training due to a fever and diarrhea, showcasing his commitment to the team.

- **Worst Performance of the Season:** The England international was substituted in the 73rd minute, marking one of his earliest exits this season.

**Palmer’s Dip in Form: A Statistical Breakdown**

📊 **Since His Last Goal (January 14, 2025):**

- **Shots Per Game:** Increased from 3.6 to 4.2.

- **Touches in Opposition Box:** Up from 4.0 to 5.2.

- **Expected Goals (xG):** Dropped from 0.46 to 0.39, indicating poorer-quality chances.

📊 **Since His Last Assist (December 1, 2024):**

- **Chances Created Per 90 Minutes:** Down from 2.8 to 2.5.

- **Open Play Chances Created:** Decreased from 2.5 to 1.8.

- **Expected Assists (xA):** 4.73, suggesting teammates should have scored at least four goals from his passes.

Despite these struggles, Palmer remains Chelsea’s top Premier League scorer this season with 14 goals. However, his creative output has noticeably declined, raising concerns about his confidence and decision-making.

Chelsea’s Unconvincing Win: A Step Towards Champions League Qualification**

Marc Cucurella’s long-range strike in the 60th minute secured Chelsea’s victory, moving them into fourth place in the Premier League. While the win was far from convincing, it marked back-to-back victories for the first time since November-December 2024.

🔑 **Key Points:** - **Fan Frustration:** Chelsea supporters booed backward passes, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the team’s style of play.

- **Manager’s Defense:** Enzo Maresca urged fans to trust the process, emphasizing the difficulty of winning in the Premier League.

- **Upcoming Fixtures:** Chelsea face tough matches against Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United in their final 10 games.

What’s Next for Cole Palmer and Chelsea?**

Palmer’s determination to play despite illness reflects his commitment to helping Chelsea secure a Champions League spot. However, his recent performances suggest a need for rest and recovery to regain his best form.

🔑 **Looking Ahead:**

- **Champions League Race:** Chelsea’s top-four finish is within reach, but they must improve their consistency.

**Palmer’s Role:** The young forward needs to rediscover his confidence and sharpness to lead Chelsea’s attack effectively.

*Final Thoughts**

Cole Palmer’s struggles are a microcosm of Chelsea’s season—moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. While the Blues are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot, Palmer’s form will be crucial in determining their success.

🌟 **Key Takeaways:**

- Palmer’s penalty miss and substitution highlight his current struggles.

- Chelsea’s unconvincing win keeps them in the top-four race.

- Tough fixtures ahead will test Chelsea’s resolve and Palmer’s ability to bounce back.

📌 **Related Topics:**

#Chelsea #PremierLeague #ColePalmer #ChampionsLeagueRace #Football

Stay tuned Kingcrossbarr.comfor more updates as Chelsea navigates a challenging end to the season! ⚽🔥