Cole Palmer: Chelsea star says ‘everything changes’ if team fail to qualify for UEFA Champions League next season

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Cole Palmer said that "everything changes" if Chelsea do not make the top five in the Premier League this season and therefore fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next campaign.

Cole claims Palmer 'needs to be on the biggest stage in world football' amid exit talk

Video credit: TNT Sports

In the build-up to The Blues' clash with Manchester United - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - Palmer laughed off rumours linking him with a move away from the club.

However, speaking to TNT Sports before Saturday night's game at Stamford Bridge, the England international said that a lot depends on Champions League football next season when he was quizzed on his future.

"I believe in what the club are doing," Palmer said. "Hopefully, I and we [Chelsea] can win a lot. If we're not in the Champions League, a lot changes. Everything changes, really."

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Although it was not totally clear whether Palmer was discussing the club's future or his own plans, TNT Sports expert Joe Cole was adamant that he deserves to play "on the biggest stage in world football".

"As a footballer, what you want to be doing is focussing on your next game," Cole said. "You do not want to be thinking about the future, where the club is, where the club isn't.

"Listen, he's a great player and he deserves to be playing on the biggest stage in world football because he's that good. I want and I hope he wants, and I'm sure everyone around him wants, it to be Chelsea Football Club.

"Obviously, football changes. You say one thing one day and something the next day. It can mean anything and it can mean nothing."

Palmer has struggled with fitness issues this season and Cole added that even at 60% fit, the 23-year-old is a "super talented footballer", to which co-pundit Owen Hargreaves agreed.

"Let's be honest, Cole Palmer is one of the best assets in the Premier League," Hargreaves said. "Last season he was off the charts. This season, there have been a lot of issues at the club and he probably hasn't been in the form we're used to.

"But he's capable of being one of the best players in the world - I've seen it."

Going into Chelsea's game withUnited The Blues had won just five of their 19 games with Palmer in the team this season, while they have won eight in 13 matches without him.

"He's their best player, I'm sure people will be surprised by this and I am as well," Hargreaves said.

"That could be depending on who they're playing against, the opposition, so I wouldn't put that on Cole Palmer.

"Remember when Gareth Bale came through, his first 20 games, I don't think he won any, and he went on to win five Champions Leagues, so he did OK.

"Chelsea's issues are not Cole Palmer. He's their best asset and they've got to build around him and be more stable at the back of the pitch, not in his position."

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