Former Premier League star criticises Chelsea over Palmer’s new contract

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has expressed his shock at Chelsea’s new two-year contract for Cole Palmer.

Chelsea announced on Tuesday that Palmer had signed a two-year extension as a reward for an outstanding 2023/24 campaign.

Palmer scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 appearances following his £42.5m move from Manchester City last summer.

The 22-year-old was named Premier League Young Player of the Year and Chelsea have moved to secure their star asset after he impressed for England at Euro 2024.

But Merson opposed the new deal, saying Chelsea did not know what they were doing.

“They don’t know what they’re doing! I don’t want to say it badly, but you’re talking about nine years from now! How can you know what it will be like in nine years?”

“He’s had an incredible season and he’s a good player, but this season, every team he plays against, the first thing they’re going to tell the team is ‘stop playing Cole Palmer’. That’s what happens now, he has it all the time. And now they’re giving him a nine-year contract? Don’t get me wrong, I like it. But these players are being given seven, eight, nine-year contracts…”

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