Troy Deeney believes Chelsea could struggle to keep Cole Palmer at the club if they fail to secure Champions League football next season.
Chelsea, under new boss Enzo Maresca, started strong and were even seen as potential Premier League contenders. However, a poor run winning just two of their last nine league matches has seen them fall from title contention and drop out of the top four.
Despite this, Maresca has downplayed expectations, insisting he is under no pressure to finish in the top four. “I never said our target was top four. The club never told me that,” he stated before Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Brighton, which left them in sixth place.
“When I signed, the goal was Champions League football in two years, not one. That’s why I keep saying we’re ahead of my expectations.”
Deeney, however, disagrees, arguing that Maresca is doing Chelsea a disservice by downplaying their ambitions. “They’ve spent a billion pounds this isn’t a rebuild,” he said on talkSPORT.
“You’ve got Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth ahead of you. With 15 games left, expectations must change. He’s making excuses.”
The former Watford striker also suggested Chelsea might struggle to keep Palmer if they miss out on Champions League qualification for a third straight season.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been Chelsea’s standout performer, delivering 14 goals and six assists in 25 league appearances. Deeney believes Palmer could start questioning his future if he feels the club isn’t matching his ambitions.
“They’re a billion-pound team, yet everything depends on Cole Palmer,” Deeney said. “If he plays well, Chelsea plays well. When a manager refuses to acknowledge that and keeps making excuses, players pick up on it. If they don’t secure Champions League football, how do they keep him happy?”
Former Chelsea striker Loic Remy also raised concerns about Palmer’s long-term future if the club fails to secure a top-four finish.
Speaking to Plejmo.com, Remy noted, “Chelsea players might worry that Palmer will leave if the club isn’t competing for trophies that’s just football.”
Recalling his own experience, Remy added, “When I was at Marseille, I left for QPR because I had value at the time. Players move on when clubs don’t meet their ambitions.
Palmer wants to win trophies, and if Chelsea can’t deliver, he may eventually decide to leave.”
With Chelsea’s Champions League hopes in jeopardy, Palmer’s future could soon become a major talking point.