Palmer Exit Looms If Chelsea Miss Top Four, Says Allardyce

Cole Palmer could be heading for the exit at Stamford Bridge should Chelsea's top-four hopes crumble, according to Sam Allardyce, with Manchester United ready to pounce if the Blues are willing to do business.

The 23-year-old attacker remains one of the Premier League's most gifted midfielders despite a frustrating campaign hampered by injury problems. A boyhood Red Devils supporter who rose through City's academy before his Chelsea switch, Palmer has been repeatedly linked with a move away in recent months—particularly after Enzo Maresca's departure left him disgruntled at the club.

Allardyce reckons the deal hinges entirely on one factor: whether United can stump up the cash Chelsea will demand. "Chelsea will always sell at the right price, so it's whether Manchester United have the money that they'd want for him Cole Palmer," the former manager said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

"It would be a big signing for United. He's only 23 years old, so they'd get a good seven or eight years from him, maybe more if he looks after himself. He's a particular talent who shone from day one at Chelsea. There has been a bit of a lull because of his injuries, but he'll get back to the level he was at sooner rather than later. He's a tremendous talent, but I do think Chelsea are always in a position to make profit off a player."

As for Palmer's current employers missing the Champions League entirely, Allardyce sees little chance of the West London side reversing their fortunes. He's tipping Arsenal and Manchester City to occupy the top two spots, with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United filling the remaining European places.

United's positioning looks particularly strong in Allardyce's assessment, largely down to Michael Carrick's stewardship and their singular focus on domestic glory. "Michael Carrick has got United buzzing and they've got no other distractions," he explained. "Their only target is the Premier League. They have time to do all the coaching, rest, nutrition and psychology they want to do and build the players up for the next weekend.

"They'll have more time off in the week for coaching and focusing on the next game, and of they'll obviously recover quicker. They'll have more energy physically and mentally. They should have a better chance than some of the other teams who are up there."