Chelsea star told he is ‘far from world class’ after poor Liverpool performance

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer still has plenty to achieve at club and international level if he is to be labelled world-class, according to Emmanuel Petit.

Palmer has picked up where he left off last season under new boss Enzo Maresca, notching up six goals and five assists in eight Premier League games so far this campaign.

However, the Englishman turned in a surprisingly subdued performance at Anfield on Sunday as the Blues slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool.

The 22-year-old fired over with a good opportunity towards the end of the first half but otherwise found himself marked out of the game as Arne Slot’s side picked up another win to return to the top of the table.

Only last month, Palmer’s exploits saw him named on the shortlist for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or, but Petit believes the Chelsea attacker still has a way to go before being considered for such an accolade.

‘Palmer had a very good season last season, but started poorly this season and responded well in September,’ the former Arsenal midfielder told Genting Casino.

‘The media are making so much noise about young talented players. Palmer is a very good player but he’s not yet a top international player and that’s the level he needs to reach.

‘He shows promising skills, maturity and personality but he’s done nothing yet if we’re honest and is far from world-class at the moment.’

Petit, however, did reserve special praise for Blues midfielder Mosises Caicedo who has grown into the Chelsea shirt after an indifferent first season following his big-money move from Brighton.

‘Caicedo was the best player on the pitch against Liverpool and he was wearing the armband,’ the Frenchman added. ‘He showed great personality and mentality from start to finish.

‘He showed incredible composure on the ball with so many men around him and I was very impressed with him.

‘In big games like this, you don’t have time to think and when you look at the whole game, he gave an assist, recovered the ball, so much energy. Honestly, it was a very good game from him.

‘I think he has certainly been the best midfielder in the league this season. I don’t like even calling him a holding midfielder as he’s so much better than that. For me, he’s a modern midfielder and definitely one of the best players this season.’

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