Defeat to Everton at the weekend has left Chelsea winless in their last four matches — and the mood at Stamford Bridge is turning toxic.
After crashing out of the Champions League against PSG and sliding down the Premier League table, the Blues’ season is hanging by a thread. An upcoming FA Cup quarter-final against League One side Port Vale at home offers a rare glimmer of hope, but with results deteriorating week by week, few fans are expecting much.
The humiliating 3-0 loss to Everton has only piled more pressure on head coach Liam Rosenior. Yet it isn’t just the manager who is struggling. The players look increasingly dejected, with visible cracks appearing in the squad — and for one star in particular, the frustration boiled over in plain sight during the defeat.
Cole Palmer was visibly furious with Chelsea teammate Pedro Neto. While no Chelsea player has covered themselves in glory recently, Palmer remains the team’s key creative spark. Worryingly, even he no longer looks happy at the club.
The England international started against Everton but was largely anonymous, particularly in the first half. Beto gave the Toffees the lead after 33 minutes, and it didn’t take long for Palmer’s irritation to surface.
Just four minutes later, during a Chelsea build-up around the 37th minute, Neto drove forward with the ball on the left flank. An unmarked Palmer called urgently for the pass in a dangerous central position, but his teammate ignored him completely.
Neto continued his run, eventually losing possession and wasting the opportunity right outside Everton’s box. Palmer’s reaction was unmistakable — he threw his hands up in fury, clearly livid at being overlooked.
The moment perfectly captured the growing tensions inside the Chelsea camp.
Palmer facing increased speculation
Despite still having seven years left on his long-term contract — worth around £130,000 per week — Palmer is already being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Rumours suggest the 23-year-old prefers life in the North and could be tempted by a return to his boyhood club, Manchester United. Those whispers are only likely to grow louder now.
Chelsea’s dismal run of form, combined with Rosenior’s divisive tactics, is fuelling fresh speculation about the star’s future. Should the Blues fail to secure Champions League football next season, clubs like Manchester United may believe they have a genuine chance of luring him away from London — although the fee required to prize the former Manchester City academy graduate away would be enormous.
Since arriving at Chelsea, Palmer has directly contributed to 85 goals in just 122 appearances across all competitions. His talent is undeniable, but the trust inside the dressing room — and between key players — appears to be fracturing.
With results spiralling and frustration spilling onto the pitch, Chelsea’s season is on a knife edge — and the Palmer-Neto flashpoint may be just the beginning of bigger problems in London.