Liam Rosenior has emphatically dismissed swirling rumours suggesting Cole Palmer could be poised for a dramatic exit from Chelsea, with Manchester United reportedly interested in the talented forward. The Chelsea manager poured cold water on the speculation, firmly stating that Palmer remains both content and integral to his plans at Stamford Bridge.
Speculation Emerges Over Palmer's Future
A recent report from The Sun suggested that Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal two-and-a-half years ago, had grown "unsettled" in London. The 23-year-old England international, who grew up supporting Manchester United, was said to be missing his hometown and potentially "open" to a sensational switch to Old Trafford.
However, this narrative has been robustly challenged by Rosenior, who took over as Chelsea boss earlier this season. Palmer is widely regarded as one of Chelsea's "untouchable" assets, a status reinforced by the long-term contract he signed last year, which secures his services until June 2033.
Palmer's Chelsea Journey and Recent Fitness
Since his arrival from Manchester City, Cole Palmer has been nothing short of a revelation for Chelsea. He has established himself as one of the most exciting and dynamic attacking talents in the Premier League, becoming a key figure for the Blues.
The current season, however, has proven frustrating for the young star due to a series of injury setbacks. Issues with his groin, toe, and thigh have significantly limited his playing time and impact for the Club World Cup holders. His only appearance under new manager Rosenior came in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Brentford earlier this month, where he played the full ninety minutes and converted a second-half penalty.
Rosenior has been carefully managing Palmer's return to full fitness, which explains his omission from the squad for the club's last two matches against Pafos and Crystal Palace in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.
Rosenior's Firm Rebuttal and Assurance
When directly questioned about Palmer's availability for Chelsea's upcoming Champions League fixture against Napoli, Rosenior confirmed, "He's here." The manager went further to address the transfer rumours head-on during his press conference.
Asked specifically if Palmer was both "untouchable" and "happy" at Chelsea, Rosenior gave a definitive response: "Yes and yes." He elaborated, stating, "It's simple. Cole is an incredible player, like the guy sat next to me [Moises Caicedo] and many players in the group."
Rosenior expressed little surprise at the timing of the speculation, linking it to the arrival of a new manager. "I'm not surprised at the timing – a new manager comes in and all of a sudden there are people unsettled. It's not true," he asserted. The former Strasbourg head coach added emphatically, "Cole is here, he's very happy and I can't wait to see him back on the pitch."
No Need for Club Assurances
Despite the intense media speculation regarding Palmer's state of mind, Rosenior revealed he has felt no need to seek assurances from Chelsea's hierarchy about the player's future. "There's no reason for any assurance. It's so unrealistic," he explained. "It's come from nowhere. There is no need to have the conversation. Cole is happy."
The Chelsea boss acknowledged that transfer rumours are an inevitable part of modern football but stressed that some stories lack any foundation in truth. "You can't stop speculation but some speculation is so far from the truth and there is no point having a conversation about it," Rosenior concluded.
Looking Ahead to Napoli and Reflecting on Conte
Shifting focus to on-pitch matters, Rosenior is relishing the challenge of facing Napoli in the Champions League, a match that will see him pit his wits against former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. "I have huge respect for him, firstly as a player," Rosenior said of Conte. "He went on to have an incredible career. His passion as a player transmits to his teams now. He's gone on to prove what an incredible manager he is."
Reflecting on Conte being the last manager to win a Premier League title with Chelsea, Rosenior acknowledged the high expectations at the club. "I think for a club of Chelsea's stature, every year that goes by, you want to win it every year," he stated. "The difficulty for any club is that there are loads of good teams that are competing. But that's the aim for us."
With Palmer firmly in his plans and committed to the Chelsea project, Rosenior will be hoping his star forward can overcome his injury woes and play a pivotal role in the club's pursuit of silverware this season and beyond.
