John Obi Mikel worried for Chelsea star who keeps 'disappearing' in games
John Obi Mikel has admitted he has concerns over Cole Palmer after his anonymous performance for Chelsea against Flamengo in the Club World Cup.
After a stunning first season at Stamford Bridge, Palmer's impact at Chelsea dropped off during the 2024-25 campaign.
While he still ended the campaign with a very respectable 15 goals and 12 assists, he managed just one Premier League goal from mid-January onwards – that effort coming from the penalty spot.
The England international endured another quiet evening as Chelsea fell to a 3-1 lead against Brazilian side Flamengo on Friday night.
Palmer was replaced by Marc Guiu with eight minutes of the match remaining while his side were chasing an equaliser.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Former Blues midfielder Mikel suggested Friday's performance was the latest in a worrying trend for Palmer, believing his performances are a result of the midfielder becoming a 'marked man' among the opposition.
'It is a bit worrying,' Mikel told DAZN. 'Cole is a fantastic player, everything goes through him but sometimes he disappears in games where you don't see him and that has happened again.
'But he needs to know that he is now a marked man.
'You will play against teams and they will know if you take out Cole Palmer, you can nullify the way they play.
'So he needs to find a different way. Maybe the manager needs to help him in terms of navigating games and opponents. More Trending
'Maybe try to free him, give him more space. If he plays well, we play well, so I hope the combination between him and [Liam] Delap will get better.
'So [I am] a little bit worried but Cole is a fantastic player and will hopefully continue to develop.'
Chelsea won their opening game of the Club World Cup against LAFC on Monday but defeat to Flamengo means they need a win over Tunisia's ES Tunis next week to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages of the competition.
They will be without Nicolas Jackson for that match after the striker was shown a straight red card just four minutes after coming off the bench to replace Liam Delap.
MORE: How many games will Nicolas Jackson miss after red card at Club World Cup?
MORE: John Obi Mikel blasts 'stupid' Nicolas Jackson and sends transfer warning after red card
MORE: Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson sent off in Club World Cup collapse
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Moreira narrowly fails to weave Ascot magic for Japan
The Brazilian pilot, known as the 'Magic Man', has ridden big winners around the globe and was entrusted with providing Japan with a first victory at the Royal meeting when receiving the leg-up aboard Noriyuki Hori's ace sprinter – who was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the final Group One of the week. Having been subject to persistent money since advertising his wellbeing in a recent Newmarket gallop, the six-year-old travelled through the contest in sublime style for Moreira. However, he met a determined rival in Lazzat in the closing stages and when the duo began to duel late into the piece, it was Jerome Reynier's French raider who came out on top in the international showdown for sprinting supremacy. 'We went into the race with a lot of confidence, the horse was so well in himself but unfortunately we bumped into a very good horse today,' said Moreira. 'Lazzat's form indicated he would be a danger and he had been winning impressively on his home ground. 'Halfway through I thought I had him done, but he just had another kick and kept attacking the line. I was closing up the gap but we just bumped into a good horse today and my horse ran really well. 'We thought we had a really good crack and unfortunately we just bumped into a really good horse. I can't complain, he tried his very best. 'It's a pleasure to be at a festival like this – of course finishing second is not the best result, but I still have to be happy with that.' While the Wathnan Racing team were able to celebrate feature race success for the headline signing from their pre-Ascot delve into the transfer market, they were also delighted with the performance of fellow new signing Flora Of Bermuda. Andrew Balding's admirable filly was narrowly denied by Inisherin at York on her return to action and in her first outing in the peacock blue and old gold silks, she again hit the frame with a brave third in the hands of PJ McDonald. 'She's run an absolute blinder and she was just a little bit free early,' said Wathnan's Richard Brown. 'She's run another very solid race, she's so consistent. I'd be hopeful that one of these might drop her way and she had some very good horses behind her. 'These two (Lazzat and Satono Reve) have obviously gone a long way clear, but she's finished best of the rest.'
Scottish Sun
9 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Tottenham ask Bournemouth about Antoine Semenyo then immediately stop transfer pursuit
Cherries have already sanctioned several big-money exits SEME OLD SONG Tottenham ask Bournemouth about Antoine Semenyo then immediately stop transfer pursuit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOTTENHAM reportedly launched an enquiry for Antoine Semenyo before immediately halting their pursuit of the Bournemouth star. New Spurs boss Thomas Frank is eager to add a dazzling attacker to his forward line this summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Tottenham made an enquiry for Antoine Semenyo before immediately ending their interest Credit: Getty And Semenyo, 25, emerged as a target after Tottenham also put Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo on their shortlist. The Bees' French forward netted 20 Premier League goals last term. But despite the opportunity to reunite with Frank in north London, Mbeumo reportedly favours a £60m move to Manchester United. Semenyo then became the clear alternative after also proving himself to be a goal menace when cutting inside on his left foot. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MARC MY WORDS Guehi makes summer transfer decision between Arsenal and Liverpool The Athletic claims Tottenham even went so far as to contact Bournemouth over a move for their Ghanaian winger, who netted 13 goals and bagged seven assists in 42 games this term. However, the Cherries have already seen their squad ravaged by big sides this summer. Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for £50million last month, while fellow defender Illya Zabarnyi could be off to Paris Saint-Germain for around £60m. Milos Kerkez has also agreed a £40m switch to Premier League champs Liverpool. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And with forwards always carrying a premium, it's claimed that Bournemouth told Tottenham to pay £70m for Semenyo. The mind-blowing fee was immediately rebuffed Spurs, who have decided to not pursue a deal for now. Daniel Levy reveals he wants Tottenham to win Champions League AND Premier League under 'super' Thomas Frank They will continue to scour the market for a new right-sided forward at a better price. But should Tottenham fail to secure an alternative, they could come back for Semenyo later in the transfer window. The former Bristol City and Sunderland man still has four years to run on his Cherries contract. And Semenyo is also on the shortlist at Man United, who could move should they end up losing Mbeumo to Spurs.
The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tottenham ask Bournemouth about Antoine Semenyo then immediately stop transfer pursuit
TOTTENHAM reportedly launched an enquiry for Antoine Semenyo before immediately halting their pursuit of the Bournemouth star. New Spurs boss Thomas Frank is eager to add a dazzling attacker to his forward line this summer. 1 And Semenyo, 25, emerged as a target after Tottenham also put Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo on their shortlist. The Bees' French forward netted 20 Premier League goals last term. But despite the opportunity to reunite with Frank in north London, Mbeumo reportedly favours a £60m move to Manchester United. Semenyo then became the clear alternative after also proving himself to be a goal menace when cutting inside on his left foot. The Athletic claims Tottenham even went so far as to contact Bournemouth over a move for their Ghanaian winger, who netted 13 goals and bagged seven assists in 42 games this term. However, the Cherries have already seen their squad ravaged by big sides this summer. Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for £50million last month, while fellow defender Illya Zabarnyi could be off to Paris Saint-Germain for around £60m. Milos Kerkez has also agreed a £40m switch to Premier League champs Liverpool. And with forwards always carrying a premium, it's claimed that Bournemouth told Tottenham to pay £70m for Semenyo. The mind-blowing fee was immediately rebuffed Spurs, who have decided to not pursue a deal for now. They will continue to scour the market for a new right-sided forward at a better price. But should Tottenham fail to secure an alternative, they could come back for Semenyo later in the transfer window. The former Bristol City and Sunderland man still has four years to run on his Cherries contract. And Semenyo is also on the shortlist at Man United, who could move should they end up losing Mbeumo to Spurs.
