The argument is not really about club form alone. It is about profile.
Palmer appears to be the sort of attacker who can change the rhythm of a game quickly, even from the bench. The report says Cole pointed to his composure in big moments, his record in finals and his reliability from the spot. Those are not minor details in tournament football, where one sharp intervention can decide a knockout tie.
There is also context around the dip. Palmer’s season has reportedly been shaped by his battle back to fitness, and that matters when judging whether a drop is temporary or something more serious. If Tuchel wants variety in his forward options, Palmer still looks like a credible inclusion.
This debate lands in a tense moment for Chelsea. Fan unrest has not gone away, and the report says another protest against the club’s owners is due before Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Cole described a recent conversation with one supporter as a “therapy session”, a line that captures the mood. The frustration seems deeper than results:
There is at least one encouraging sign at the back. Levi Colwill has returned from a long-term ACL injury and made his first start since last July in the win over Liverpool.
That matters because Chelsea’s defensive picture could shift again this summer. Reports suggest contract talks with Colwill are expected, while defensive recruitment is also being considered. Another detail from the Liverpool game stood out: Chelsea covered 103.6km to Liverpool’s 102.9km, the first time in 36 league matches they had outrun their opponents.
That does not solve everything, but it is a marker. The next storyline is clear: whether Palmer can finish the season strongly, and whether Chelsea can turn small signs of progress into a more convincing reset before the next campaign.