Add as preferred source on Google
Cole Palmer’s position has been a topic of conversation at Chelsea so far this season, and Thomas Tuchel may have just ended the debate once and for all.
Under Liam Rosenior, Cole Palmer has seen a tactical shift. While he remains flexible, Rosenior has predominantly deployed Palmer on the right-hand side of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, specifically tasking him with occupying the right half-space due to Enzo Fernandez’s new role.
Unlike the more rigid positional demands under Enzo Maresca, Rosenior encourages Palmer to drift centrally to create overloads, aided by the more traditional, wider overlapping runs.
This role has also seen Palmer occasionally utilised as a pure number 10, though his partnership with Joao Pedro often sees the two rotate to avoid congesting the middle.
However, Palmer has been stunted by his positioning at Chelsea at times.
QUARTER-FINAL 1: Liam Rosenior vs Frank Lampard
Thomas Tuchel to use Cole Palmer as a number 10
Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was brutally honest on why Cole Palmer has struggled and even stated his best position (as per Standard).
“Honestly, he has to show [it], because we have more evidence without him than with him, so the pressure is on him.
“He had a difficult season, but he has also had a difficult spell with the national team. He was only once available for us and when he was available, we decided to stick with the same squad, so there is big competition for his best position, No10.”
John Obi Mikel has raised the number 10 point before, stating that that should be the only position that Liam Rosenior deploys Cole Palmer in at Chelsea.
Which defender or midfielder do you think would make the best Chelsea striker?🤔
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Cole Palmer offers so much more in the number 10 role
While Cole Palmer excels out wide, he becomes an even bigger force when deployed as a number 10.
In the heart of the pitch, his 360-degree vision and spatial awareness allow him to dictate the entire tempo of Chelsea’s attack. Operating between the lines, he forces opposition defensive midfielders into impossible decisions, creating passing lanes that simply don’t exist from the flanks.
This central gravity draws defenders inward, vacating space for runners like Joao Pedro. By centralising his touches, Chelsea ensures their most clinical creator is consistently involved in the final ball rather than being isolated touchline-to-touchline.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox