Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba has weighed in on the discussion surrounding the current form of star player Cole Palmer, suggesting the forward is facing challenges alone.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a remarkable debut season at Stamford Bridge, registering 22 goals and 11 assists.
However, this season, his goal tally stands at 14, and he has not scored in his last 16 appearances.
Ba, who famously scored a key goal for Chelsea against Liverpool, offered his perspective on how Palmer could navigate his current struggles, drawing a parallel to the celebrated rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In an exclusive interview, Ba stated: “Competition is good for everyone. It worked for me, and I think [Lionel] Messi wouldn’t have been the player he is today without the competition from Cristiano [Ronaldo], and vice versa. So, I will never shy away from saying competition is healthy.”
“Someone like Cole Palmer doesn’t have much experience in football, or even in life. Football is life, and there will be tough days. But if you have an experienced figure to lean on, you can get through the storm.”
“Palmer is in a rough patch, and although he is managing with his personality and continuing to perform, something is missing. He could benefit immensely from having someone who has been in that situation before to guide him.”
Ba, who scored seven goals in 33 appearances for the Blues, also defended forward Christopher Nkunku, who was recently excluded from Chelsea`s squad for the win against Fulham due to technical reasons.
The French international has faced difficulties with both fitness and form, hindering his ability to find consistency. Despite a significant impact during his time at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, injuries have kept him sidelined for large periods, resulting in just seven league starts and three goals this campaign.
As Chelsea pushes for a Champions League spot, Ba understands Nkunku is trying to establish himself but believes the forward could benefit from demonstrating a stronger personality.
Ba added: “I wouldn’t say Chelsea is lacking strikers. If you look at a player like Nkunku, he’s trying to make a name for himself in the Premier League. However, the issue is experience and personality. They need someone who has the personality to handle the pressure, someone who can endure pain but also command the respect of the younger players in the team.”
