{"id":6330,"date":"2026-09-29T08:05:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6330"},"modified":"2026-09-29T08:05:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:05:55","slug":"rio-ferdinand-has-summarised-cole-palmer-perfectly-as-he-jumps-to-his-defence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6330","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand has summarised Cole Palmer perfectly as he jumps to his defence"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has received a fair bit of criticism after withdrawing from the England squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The attacking midfielder is injured, but that did not stop Thomas Tuchel from questioning his latest absence, with the England boss claiming that he misses too many camps. Palmer<\/a> has not played a game for the Three Lions since March after being left out for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\n

Roy Keane has also been critical of Palmer. However, his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand<\/a> has been quick to defend the under-fire Chelsea<\/a> player.<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand highlights Cole Palmer\u2019s ability to \u2018slice\u2019 through defences<\/h2>\n

Ferdinand will not forget about Palmer\u2019s talent just because the 24-year-old has missed a few England camps. In response to Keane\u2019s criticism, Ferdinand has claimed that Palmer still offers something different to everyone else and can open up defences, which is a perfect summary of the player.<\/p>\n

On his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents<\/a>, the United legend said: \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s a squad that should be picked for England that Cole Palmer shouldn\u2019t be in. I\u2019m sorry, I just think he gives you something different. He gives you that ability to slice through defensive units that have been set up.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has the ability to see that pass. He does things that none of the other players can do. Cole Palmer is a precocious talent and I think you need him in and around the squad. He\u2019s a kid who doesn\u2019t get fazed on the biggest stage as well, he\u2019s got that bit of arrogance about him which you need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

What do you make of the criticism Cole Palmer has faced since withdrawing from the England squad?<\/h3>\n

Rio Ferdinand is still a fan!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Ferdinand is not the only person to come to his defence. Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has also shown his support for Palmer<\/a> amid this wave of criticism.<\/p>\n

After a strong start to the season, Tuchel would have loved to have Palmer in his squad. In seven appearances, he has scored four goals and provided two assists.<\/p>\n

However, the German just has to accept that Palmer is not as fit as he was when he first joined Chelsea as the former Manchester City attacker continues to pick up niggling injuries.<\/p>\n

Cole Palmer\u2019s stats at Chelsea back up Rio Ferdinand<\/h2>\n

Looking at some of Palmer\u2019s numbers this season, Ferdinand saying the England international can slice open defences was no understatement. According to WhoScored<\/a>, Palmer is currently making 2.2 key passes per game in the Premier League, which is the joint-highest average in Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> squad.<\/p>\n

As per FotMob<\/a>, Palmer is also creating 0.81 big chances and making 9.35 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes, so this is someone who knows how to break down a defence. Unfortunately, he struggled to do that against Brentford just before the international break.<\/p>\n

However, there was no Joao Pedro for him to link up with because of an injury. Hopefully the Brazilian is available for the Bournemouth game and the pair can resume their excellent partnership. <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n