Chelsea have officially qualified for the UEFA Champions League after beating fellow contenders Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on the last day of the season.
The only goal of the match scored in the 55th minute by Defender Levi Colwill, saw the Blues claim the fourth spot on the league table, which was enough to see them through to the competition.
In a season of doubts, where expectations were tempered, the Blues not only earned a Champions League Spot but also won the UEFA Conference League title against Real Betis 4-1, with Cole Palmer emerging as the Player of the match.
Despite fielding the Premier League’s youngest squad under new head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea defied sceptics, pundits, and rival fans to exceed expectations, clinching the UEFA Conference League title against a formidable Spanish side that has been a thorn in the flesh for most English teams.
This season in the league, the Blues have lacked the clinical edge of teams like Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Reds scored 86 goals in the league, compared to Chelsea’s 64, partly due to the inconsistent form of their key player, Cole Palmer.
Cole Palmer’s Dip in Form
Before scoring a penalty in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in Gameweek35, Palmer had endured a four-month goal drought.
This was the first time it had happened in his young career and questions were being asked about his output and all-round play as more was expected from a player who hit 33 G/A contribution in 33 games last season.
Having been praised for his composure in front of goal last season, this campaign has been different.
The Englishman’s numbers dwindled and reports of him ghosting in big games surfaced.
Palmer, who provided seven goals and one assist against the top six teams last season, including a goal against Manchester City and a brilliant hat-trick against Manchester United, could only provide three goals against the top six this term.
This season, he ranked third in the Premier League for chances created with 86, trailing only Bruno Fernandes (91) and Mohamed Salah (88).
He started this campaign brilliantly, scoring four goals against Brighton and delivering a hat-trick of assists against Wolverhampton Wanderers, putting him on track to match his previous season’s goal and assist contributions.
However, after scoring in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in January, he endured a 17-game stretch without a goal from open play.
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Factors Behind Palmer’s Reduced Goal Tally
One reason for his lower goal tally this season compared to last could be the sharp drop in penalties.
Last season, 41% of his goals (nine out of 22) came from penalties, capitalizing on Chelsea’s league-high 11 penalty awards.
This season, Chelsea received only three penalties, with Palmer converting two and him missing one against Leicester City, breaking his perfect streak of 12 consecutive penalties scored.
Also, Palmer’s reduced goal tally in the 2024/2025 season could be due to an inconsistent partnership with Nicolas Jackson.
Last season, they both had a combined 12-goal contribution, more than any other duo in the league.
They both developed a strong on-field chemistry, with the Senegalese pace and movement creating space for Palmer to thrive. But this season has been different, with injuries, tactical change, and inconsistent lineups disrupting their rhythm.
Certain observers have cited a managerial change and lack of confidence as factors behind Palmer’s reduced numbers this season.
The shift from former head coach Mauricio Pochettino to current manager Enzo Maresca, who employ contrasting footballing philosophies, may have notably influenced Palmer’s performances.
Despite the 22-year-old not matching his usual high standards this season, it’s far from a complete failure.
He played a pivotal role for Chelsea, finishing with 23 goal involvements (15 goals, 8 assists).
The Englishman’s influence was clear in his ability to create chances and drive the attack, while also recording the second-most shots in the league (126) and the third-most shots on target (51).
Conference League Final: A Dazzling Redemption
In a season where the young English star’s performances have been scrutinized, Palmer delivered one of the most clutch moments in the 2024/2025 UEFA Conference League Final, silencing doubters with a dazzling display.
Chelsea, who trailed 1-0 in the opening stages of the game, went in at half-time seeking a spark to shift the game in their favour.
The Blues looked disjointed and on the verge of defeat, but with 25 minutes left on the clock, Palmer turned the game on its head with a scintillating display that underscored his undeniable quality.
In five minutes, Palmer provided two sublime assists for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson that flipped the script.
In the 65th minute he delivered a pinpoint cross for the Argentine to head home, and a few minutes later, in the 70th minute, after turning his marker, he supplied a precise ball for Jackson to chest in the goal that put the Blues in front.
The England international’s two assists in the final marked him as the first player since Real Madrid’s Marcelo in the 2017/2018 Champions League Final to record multiple assists in a major European Final, which is a testament to his growing stature.
Given the high bar Cole Palmer set last season, the intense scrutiny he now faces suggests he’s become a victim of his success.
Yet, his display in the Conference League Final shows that he remains a game-changer on the biggest stages.
And with the FIFA Club World Cup looming in June 2025, Chelsea will need their star player to maintain consistency and also rediscover his goal-scoring form.
This will massively boost their attack and maximise their chances of clinching a second Club World Cup title, especially against formidable opponents like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / SOPA Images
Recording Date: 28.05.2025