Cole Palmer offered a flicker of creative rebellion in Chelsea’s structured victory over Liverpool, a match that marked both a personal breakthrough and a subtle critique of the tactical system that contains him. With 84 minutes gone, Palmer abandoned the prescribed lines of Enzo Maresca’s formation, cutting past Conor Bradley, darting inside with surprising speed, and attempting a clever finish that struck the post. It was a moment of ingenuity, a breath of improvisation in a game otherwise governed by rigid patterns.
Two minutes into stoppage time, he had another chance. This time, a penalty clinical, composed, buried. His teammates surrounded him with obvious joy, goalkeeper Robert Sánchez sprinting the length of the pitch to join the celebration. It was Palmer’s first goal since January, ending a 19-game drought during which he contributed only two assists. In a campaign where Chelsea have shown signs of recovery in recent weeks, this moment was both symbolic and timely.
Despite recent wins, there is a lingering sense that Palmer’s talents are being underutilised. Positioned wide on the right, often tasked with tracking back to cover for Moisés Caicedo, his presence has at times resembled that of a miscast artist in a bureaucratic role. The match against Liverpool again highlighted this disconnect. From kick-off, Palmer played a deeper, more restrained role than suits his strengths. Still, it was his quick pass out to Pedro Neto that led to Chelsea’s opener, calmly finished by Enzo Fernández. Later, his clever movement and cross into the box indirectly resulted in the second goal, following a chaotic sequence that ended with the ball deflecting in off Jarell Quansah.
Watching Palmer operate in this system is like witnessing a surrealist painter forced into accountancy dutiful, technically sound, but constrained, waiting for rare moments to express himself. The positional discipline of Maresca’s setup, where spontaneity is often sacrificed for control, makes Palmer’s bursts of individuality feel all the more stark and precious.
Liverpool, on the other hand, looked disjointed, passive, and oddly unfocused. Their performance lacked urgency, and for much of the match, they seemed to be going through the motions. Darwin Núñez’s introduction brought some energy, but it was largely unfocused. Chelsea, meanwhile, controlled proceedings with a methodical precision, helped by an impressive performance from Roméo Lavia in midfield.
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge reflected cautious optimism muted but content. The win makes it four consecutive victories for Chelsea, who are now well-placed to finish strongly with upcoming matches against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Financially, too, the club is positioned to benefit enormously. Between potential earnings from the Club World Cup and European competition, Chelsea stand to gain upwards of £170 million, even without delivering consistently compelling football.
The broader question persists, however: how best to use Cole Palmer? He is undeniably Chelsea’s most creative player, yet remains oddly isolated in a system that prioritises structure over flair. There is no natural counterpart for him in the team, no one to share ideas or instincts with on the pitch. While this match showcased Palmer’s ability to influence the game despite his constraints, it also underlined the ongoing tension between individual brilliance and collective order. The season’s closing weeks may determine whether Chelsea can truly find the balance or whether Palmer will remain a ghost in Maresca’s machine.
