"When I look at someone like Cole Palmer, that's three consecutive summers without a break. People say he's a millionaire - yes, he is. But it doesn't give you an extra lung or an extra leg. I want to see Cole Palmer on the pitch because he's the one who makes me dream."
"Three years without a summer off saw him feature 112 times for club and country, with the addition of Club World Cup fixtures for Chelsea, the European Championship with England and the Under21 European Championship before that. Those managing him did not consider it a coincidence that as demands on Palmer increased, his fitness suffered."
Cole Palmer, ranked eighth in the Ballon d'Or standings, is experiencing a noticeable dip in performance despite being considered Chelsea's untouchable star player. The 23-year-old England forward has played 112 times across three consecutive seasons without a summer break, contributing to physical and mental fatigue. A recurring groin injury emerged late last season and persisted into December, requiring over six weeks of recovery. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango highlighted that Palmer's millionaire status does not provide additional physical capacity, emphasizing the toll of relentless fixture congestion. Chelsea's medical team continues monitoring his condition closely as he manages tactical substitutions and recovery protocols.
Read at www.bbc.com
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