Chelsea are sleepwalking towards finishing outside of the top four this season, subsequently risking missing out on Champions League football for the next campaign.
Enzo Maresca’s side flew out of the traps in the first half of the season, leaving many referring to them as potential title contenders largely down to the brilliance of Cole Palmer.
However, Maresca continually denied Chelsea could win the Premier League, and seems to have been proven right as a result of a run of form that has seen them win two of their last nine games.
No Champions League clause in Cole Palmer’s Chelsea contract
Chelsea’s star players will no doubt be wanting to compete alongside the very best in Europe’s elite competition, with no one suiting this description more than Palmer.
The England international sits on 14 goals and six assists in the league so far this season, however has gone off the boil in recent weeks.
Chances are still being created by their key man, however teammates are letting him down. No one has made more chances than Palmer since early December, however this hasn’t resulted in a single assist.
It was reported recently that key Chelsea players will consider leaving if they miss out on the Champions League, and with that looking a real possibility there are worries this could spread through the squad.
However, Ben Jacobs has stated that this is not an option for the Blues first team stars, including star player Palmer.
He said: “Understand no Chelsea player has any clause in their contract allowing an exit if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League. This includes Cole Palmer.
Palmer signed a seven-year contract with an option for a further year in 2023, something the club have already activated based on his excellent start to life in West London.
Todd Boehly’s unique contracts key to Palmer staying
There was a lot of criticism aimed at Chelsea owner Todd Boehly when he took over the club and made long-term contracts the norm at Stamford Bridge, with the relatively low wages having the chance to increase based on performances.
Jacobs went on to say that these deals do not include clauses that allow the Blues to leave if things are not going to plan.
He said: “Chelsea’s incentive-driven contracts, which have already seen Palmer rewarded with an incremental wage increase and Enzo Fernandez extended, do not offer this type of release clause, formal or informal.”
Palmer is without a goal in the last four Premier League games, however, is going to be crucial to Chelsea turning around their tough run of form and returning to the top table of European football next season.
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