Palmer misses ex-teammate: Chelsea star’s struggles finally explained

Cole Palmer has struggled with form and injuries over the past 12 months with Chelsea fans searching desperately for an answer.

In a recent episode of Stick to Football on The Overlap, Ex-Arsenal star and pundit Paul Merson insisted that Cole Palmer's struggles can be linked to the absence of Nicolas Jackson.

“I like Palmer, but Palmer misses Jackson,” Merson stated.

“Jackson made Palmer, and Palmer made Jackson. And people used to slaughter Jackson and say, ‘Oh, he’s no good. He misses chances.'

Does Cole Palmer miss Nicolas Jackson?

"You watch Palmer now. He puts his foot on the ball, and there’s nothing there. Joao Pedro wants to come this way [dropping short], and there’s no movement in front of him.”

Palmer, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, has struggled to perform at his best level this season.

Merson’s analysis has remained remarkably consistent. When Jackson was first sidelined in early 2025, Merson told Sky Sports:

“They miss Jackson. Palmer makes Jackson and Jackson makes Palmer. People will go, ‘Don’t be silly’, Palmer’s an unbelievable player, but you’re only as good as the players you’re playing in front of you.

"He’s got no movement, so what happens is if Jackson doesn’t make those runs, he’s a willing player who stretches the game, then Palmer comes in and gets the ball.”

Merson has been particularly vocal about Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Jackson, who moved to Bayern Munich in September 2025 on a deal worth up to €81.5m. “I think Jackson was a bad sell, I really did,” Merson insisted.

Palmer often receives the ball in congested areas. His new strike partner, Joao Pedro, tends to drop deep into the same pockets Palmer occupies, further stifling the England international’s threat.

Compounding these tactical issues are Palmer’s persistent fitness battles. The 23-year-old has endured a stop-start 2025/26 campaign, plagued by a groin injury that sidelined him for nearly three months earlier in the season, followed by a freak broken toe.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has recently had to manage Palmer's minutes "game-by-game," restricting him to a substitute role in their recent Carabao Cup exit against Arsenal.

Palmer's numbers have declined steadily, from 25 and 18 goals in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, to just 5 goals this term.