Former Chelsea forward Demba Ba has weighed in on the discussion about Cole Palmer`s current form, stating that the young star seems to be lacking support.
Palmer, 22, enjoyed a remarkable debut season at Stamford Bridge, contributing 22 goals and 11 assists. However, this season his performance has dipped, with 14 goals and a 16-game scoreless streak.
Ba, known for his crucial goal against Liverpool while at Chelsea, believes Palmer can regain his form by embracing competition, drawing a parallel to the legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In an interview with The Sun, Ba said, “Competition benefits everyone. It motivated me, and I believe the rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo pushed Lionel Messi to become the player he is, and vice versa. Healthy competition is always a positive thing.”
Ba highlighted Palmer`s relative inexperience in football and life, noting that football inevitably includes challenging periods. He suggested, “When you have an experienced mentor to rely on, you can navigate through tough times.”
“Palmer is currently experiencing a dip in form, and despite his efforts and talent, something is missing. He would greatly benefit from guidance from someone who has faced similar situations before,” Ba concluded.
Ba also defended Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku, emphasizing that Nkunku is still adapting to the Premier League and needs time to showcase his personality and leadership qualities to command respect within the team and handle pressure.
