Paul Merson Expresses Concern Over Chelsea’s Stalemate with Crystal Palace

 

Paul Merson Expresses Concern Over Chelsea’s Stalemate with Crystal Palace

Paul Merson has described Chelsea’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend as troubling and believes West Ham will focus on neutralizing Cole Palmer to stifle Chelsea’s creative output.

Chelsea’s Attacking Struggles

Chelsea’s lack of cutting edge in the final third was apparent, and Merson questions who can unlock defenses if Palmer is shut down. While players like Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens have speed, they didn’t manage to trouble Palace’s defense.

Opposing teams are now making Palmer the focal point of their defensive strategies—essentially, "stop Palmer, stop Chelsea." Merson expects West Ham to adopt a similar approach on Friday night.

Palmer Needs Support and Patience

Palmer also needs to have more trust in his teammates and avoid dropping too deep in search of the ball. When he plays too far back, it's hard for him to make a real impact. He needs to stay closer to the attacking third, where his skills are most effective.

However, Palmer can’t do it alone. He needs movement around him—runners who create space—and currently, that’s missing from Chelsea’s setup. The coaching staff also needs to find better ways to get him the ball in dangerous areas. Still, Merson says Palmer should be patient and avoid retreating too far into midfield.

Missing Nicolas Jackson

Palmer will also feel the absence of Nicolas Jackson, who, despite being inconsistent, was constantly on the move and created room for Palmer to operate. Their partnership worked well, as both benefited from each other’s style of play.

With Joao Pedro now up front, Chelsea may lose that dynamic. Pedro prefers to drop deep as well, which could crowd the midfield and limit Palmer’s influence. Merson questions whether letting go of Jackson was a wise move, given how well he linked up with Palmer.

Chelsea Should Have Signed Eze

Merson also expressed disbelief that Chelsea didn’t pursue Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. He believes Eze, alongside Palmer, could have given Chelsea another option to unlock defenses. Instead, Chelsea continue to sign wingers but lack creativity and variety in their attack. Their current style is predictable: Palmer feeding two quick wingers.

West Ham Clash More Crucial for Chelsea

While West Ham were poor in their recent defeat to Sunderland—with concerns about energy and pace in midfield—Merson sees the upcoming match as a bigger deal for Chelsea. It’s an opportunity for them to respond and prove they can break down teams, especially when Palmer is closely marked.