English Premier League
“You need to show up” – John Obi Mikel criticizes Cole Palmer for underperforming
By: Wale Mustapha
Nigeria football legend John Obi Mikel has voiced his criticism of Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer, highlighting the 21-year-old’s struggles to perform in key Premier League fixtures against top rivals.
Mikel, who spent over a decade at Chelsea and became one of the club’s longest-serving players, acknowledged Palmer’s talent but called for more consistency in big games.
Palmer, who has shown flashes of brilliance since joining Chelsea, has quickly become a fan favorite this season.
However, Mikel feels that the young Englishman has yet to truly deliver when it matters most – in high-profile matches against Premier League powerhouses like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
“I’m a huge fan of Cole Palmer. I think everybody is a huge fan of him. But again, the big games – you need to show up,” Mikel said in an interview with One Football.
Mikel went on to draw a comparison with Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland, pointing out that both players have struggled to make an impact in some of the season’s most crucial fixtures.
Despite their talent, Mikel believes that both players need to step up when their teams face the biggest challenges.
“That again is my only question with Haaland. So far, Haaland hasn’t done that for City. So far, Cole Palmer hasn’t done it for us,” Mikel added.
The former Super Eagles captain referenced Chelsea’s recent matches against City, Liverpool, and United, where Palmer failed to make a significant impact. “He was quiet against City, Liverpool the same, and United again,” Mikel said.
While Mikel remains a fan of Palmer’s potential, he emphasized the importance of stepping up in pivotal matches to justify his place as a key player for Chelsea.
With the Premier League title race and top-four ambitions on the line, Mikel’s call for Palmer to deliver in big games reflecting the growing expectations surrounding the young midfielder.
As Chelsea looks to compete at the highest level, Palmer will need to rise to the occasion and show that he can handle the pressure in crucial fixtures.
