Some of Chelsea’s biggest stars have missed out on the World Cup this summer, including Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill. Lamine Yamal has been speaking about another, in Cole Palmer.
It is just three days until the start of the World Cup, when Mexico take on South Africa at Estadio Benorte in Mexico City. England begin their campaign next Wednesday against Croatia, after taking on Costa Rica.
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The likes of Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have had to make some big decisions this summer. In Brazil, Ancelotti was forced to leave out Estevao, while Andrey Santos and Pedro were both overlooked.
Meanwhile in England, Colwill’s absence proved too big an obstacle for Tuchel to overlook and Palmer’s disappointing form in 2025-26 saw him left at home, despite scoring for England in the Euro 2024 final.
Lamine Yamal asked if he thinks Cole Palmer is underrated
One player that will be front and centre this summer is Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal. Still only 18, Yamal’s numbers are remarkable. A total of 101 goals and assists in 149 Barcelona games is remarkable.
He could well surpass 30 caps for Spain during the World Cup and the teenage winger has been doing interviews ahead of the tournament. Asked which players he feels are most underrated, he named two.
He chose PSG’s Fabian Ruiz and Barcelona pal Gerard Martin, before Palmer’s name was put to Lamal. But the Barcelona ace doesn’t believe Palmer is underrated after finishing eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
When a friend suggested Cole Palmer, Yamal replied: “He can’t be considered underrated. He wears the number 10 shirt for Chelsea and came ninth in the last Ballon d’Or. How can you say he’s underrated?”
World Cup omission is a blessing in disguise for Cole Palmer
Palmer’s form has been a shadow of the quality and numbers he initially produced under Mauricio Pochettino and then in Enzo Maresca’s only full season as Chelsea manager. But it is not all his fault.
Palmer has had to endure a difficult injury. One that he has been able to play with, but not fully recover from. Alan Shearer says it is a “horrible position” to be in, having endured similar injuries in his career.
Has Cole Palmer been wronged? Or is it just deserved for his poor form?🤔
Indeed, it was only in the final couple of months of the season that Palmer admitted he had been unable to shoot while playing. It’s been a while since Palmer has actually been able to take some time off.
The Club World Cup last summer came after Euro 2024 the season beforehand. The summer prior to that, Palmer helped England’s U21 side win the European Championships, beating Spain in the final 1-0.
For the first time in four years, Palmer will have time to rest this summer. It means his World Cup axe will come as a blessing in disguise for Palmer himself, and Chelsea. Hopefully, he returns back to his best.
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