Merson: Rosenior Squandering Palmer as Man Utd Circle

Paul Merson has launched a scathing assessment of Liam Rosenior's management at Chelsea, insisting that Cole Palmer is being squandered in his current tactical setup with Manchester United reportedly eyeing a summer swoop for the talented attacker.

Since replacing Enzo Maresca in January, Rosenior has overseen a disappointing run of results at Stamford Bridge. The Blues sit sixth in the Premier League standings following a dire spell that includes four consecutive defeats across all competitions, most recently a 3-0 humbling at the hands of Everton.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson outlined precisely how he believes Chelsea should be lining up to get the best from their squad. "They've got to get back to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, put Palmer in the No.10 and then put Estevao and Pedro Neto on the wings and put Joao Pedro up front," the Arsenal legend explained. "Get Palmer in the middle of the pitch where he can make things happen."

The pundit was particularly critical of Palmer's current deployment on the right flank. "At the moment, he's playing out on the right, he gets the ball and he's never ever going to run past the full-back. He's not the quickest in the world," Merson noted, emphasizing that this positioning fails to maximize the midfielder's considerable talents.

Merson also called for Estevao to feature more prominently, praising the Brazilian's direct approach and fearless mentality. He believes a more adventurous approach, particularly against Manchester City, could reignite Chelsea's season, though he warned that deploying two holding midfielders with Palmer on the wing would represent a waste of the player's abilities.

The broader concern for Chelsea centers on player retention. Enzo Fernandez's recent flirtation with Real Madrid during the international break served as a stark reminder of the challenge ahead. Merson suggested that such situations have become commonplace, with players speaking to media outlets back home before claims of misquotation inevitably follow.

"If Chelsea don't get in the Champions League then there's going to be a problem, players will want to leave," Merson stated plainly. "Players want to play in the Champions League, they want to play on the big table, so these last seven games are so important."

The financial reality of Chelsea's situation also looms large. Merson acknowledged that the club's business model revolves around purchasing young talent and selling for profit—a strategy that has proven successful on paper but leaves questions about sustained competitiveness. He suggested that while he'd be shocked if Chelsea rejected a substantial offer for Palmer, securing Champions League football is non-negotiable if they wish to retain their prized assets.

"If they got £120m for Palmer when they bought him for £40m, I'd be shocked if they didn't sell him," Merson reflected. "But they need to get in the Champions League and they've got to start playing him where he's comfortable playing. On the right is a waste of time, he needs to play in the No.10 position and he's as good as anyone around playing there."

Merson also noted the potential international implications. Restoring Palmer to his preferred central position could enhance his prospects of reclaiming a regular spot in the England setup—a consideration that adds further weight to Rosenior's tactical decisions in the coming weeks.