Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea are struggling so badly at the moment. I look at them and they are missing Nicolas Jackson quite badly. Without him, I don’t see a real pattern of play. Jackson’s absence is also affecting Cole Palmer, who has to drop deeper now.”

Enzo Maresca has already highlighted the key attribute that allows Cole Palmer to be great for Chelsea, though the Blues reportedly risk losing the playmaker this summer

Cole Palmer does not have a release clause which activates if Chelsea miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League, according to reports. Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League and just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.