Gary Lineker has shared that he faced a similar challenge as Cole Palmer at Chelsea, as Alan Shearer empathized with the difficult situation Palmer finds himself in.
Palmer has featured in just 12 of Chelsea’s 25 Premier League matches this season, grappling with a persistent groin issue. Both Liam Rosenior and his former manager Enzo Maresca have had to carefully manage his playing time.
The 23-year-old recently made headlines by becoming the first player in Premier League history to net three first-half hat-tricks during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolves. This achievement not only lifted his spirits but also bolstered his chances of securing a spot in the World Cup squad.
Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, expressed his disdain for being in Palmer’s current predicament. He articulated the frustrations of coping with an injury that hampers training efforts.
“It was quite telling to hear Cole Palmer discuss managing his injury after the [Wolves] match,” Shearer noted.
“I hated being in that situation as a player, knowing a recovery was necessary while not being able to train as much as I wished. You arrive at the game, only to find that you’re back where you started once it starts feeling alright. It’s an unfortunate scenario, and I hope he can move past it soon.”
Reflecting on his own experience with the same injury, Lineker explained, “Interestingly, I spent a year at Everton struggling with this exact issue.”
“It mirrored what Cole Palmer is dealing with—always that nagging pain. I hardly trained, leading people to say I just took baths every day.”
“There was a reason for that. My dedication to training was limited due to my struggle. Yet, I could still play through it; the annoyance was always there.”
“It wasn’t until I took a break after the World Cup that I finally saw improvement.”
“It’s a peculiar situation where you feel alright once you play, but it tightens up in no time. It seems Cole is dealing with a similar experience.”
In related Chelsea news, manager Liam Rosenior praised Palmer as “unstoppable” following his hat-trick against Wolves.
“We recognize his world-class talent,” he stated. “He has logged significant minutes over the past year without ample recovery.”
“When he reaches peak form, he’s simply unstoppable. I’m thrilled to be part of his journey.”
Looking ahead to their clash with Leeds on Tuesday, Rosenior confirmed that Palmer is fit and ready to start against Daniel Farke’s team.
“Cole is set to play tomorrow,” Rosenior affirmed. “A world-class talent like him is vital for our ambitions.”
“It’s been fantastic witnessing him enjoy the game, and his goals last Saturday were a joy to see. Here’s hoping he can keep this momentum going.”
