William Gallas believes Cole Palmer could leave Chelsea if the club fails to win trophies under Enzo Maresca. Despite Palmer’s impressive rise, Gallas suggests Barcelona might be the ideal destination for the young star. With a long contract at Chelsea, a potential transfer could demand a significant fee, but Gallas insists Palmer has the talent to succeed anywhere.
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has predicted that Cole Palmer could seek a surprising exit from Stamford Bridge next summer if the club fails to secure any major trophies under head coach Enzo Maresca.
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £40 million, has quickly risen to prominence as one of English football’s brightest talents. Although he made his City debut in 2020, Palmer truly stepped into the spotlight after his transfer to Chelsea. His impressive performances and sharp increase in goal contributions have made him a key figure in the Premier League.
Since his move to Stamford Bridge, Palmer has netted 28 Premier League goals and provided 16 assists in just 41 appearances. While Palmer has flourished individually, Chelsea struggled through a difficult season under former manager Mauricio Pochettino. However, Maresca’s leadership appears to have brought some positive momentum, as Chelsea currently sit fourth in the league standings after a strong start to the season.
Despite this progress, Gallas has expressed concern that Palmer could consider leaving Chelsea if the team doesn’t deliver any silverware this season. In an interview with Prime Casino, Gallas suggested that a move to Barcelona could be an ideal next step for the young midfielder if Chelsea’s success remains limited.
Gallas noted that Barcelona, though already boasting young talent like Lamine Yamal and potentially Nico Williams, could still be a great place for Palmer to establish his legacy. Gallas believes that Palmer’s current trajectory may make him too talented for a Chelsea side that isn’t achieving enough. He speculated that watching his peers win trophies while he falls short could lead Palmer to reconsider his future at the club.
Palmer’s contract, which was initially set to run until 2031, has since been extended to 2033 following his exceptional form. This long-term deal would make any potential transfer to Barcelona a costly one, given the high fee Chelsea would likely demand. Yet, Gallas remains confident in Palmer’s ability to adapt to new challenges, even in a different footballing environment like La Liga.
In the interview, Gallas emphasized that Palmer’s skill set sets him apart from other English players, making him capable of succeeding wherever he chooses to play. According to Gallas, the young star has the talent to thrive not just in England but anywhere in the world.
