Glenn Hoddle claims £40m Chelsea player has got worse because he’s trying too hard

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Chelsea have endured a pretty awful season, it has to be said.

The Blues are going another year without silverware, and in true Chelsea fashion, they’ve got through numerous managers too.

The boardroom drama may be making most of the headlines this season, but there has also been underperformance from certain players too that shouldn’t be ignored.

Cole Palmer hasn’t been at his best this season, and speaking to HaytersTV, Glenn Hoddle has given his verdict on why the England international has been off the boil this term.

Glenn Hoddle discusses Cole Palmer’s struggles

Hoddle shared his verdict on the £40m man.

The former England manager believes Palmer’s struggles are a combination of a few things.

For a start, Hoddle reckons Palmer hasn’t recovered from his injuries fully yet.

Meanwhile, the pundit also thinks Palmer is trying too hard when he is on the pitch, trying to force things rather than playing off the cuff and with true freedom.

“I don’t think he’s recovered from the injuries fully. And that’s a part of being a professional footballer.

“You have to you can be a talented player but you sometimes one of the hurdles you have to get overcome is coming back from an injury.

“I think he’s found that difficult. I really do. I think he’s another one that if he can finish the season with a little bit better form and get that confidence my word last year was in the last couple of years he’s been sensational and he’s not become a bad player overnight.

“But, I think he’s trying a little bit too hard in many ways and Chelsea are going through that horrible run at the moment form wise and you can you can start thinking about the game Palmer was one of these players I said it years ago I hope he doesn’t have to start thinking about the game he was a playground player. He just played off the cuff, and it was lovely to see him play like that.

“He had a freedom in his mind.

“Now I can see him just locking up a little bit, trying a little bit too hard, trying to impress, trying to do something that’s going to get him into that squad or get Chelsea a win.

“And he’s playing slightly different. So, this this is all about the education of a player as you’re growing through the years.”

Cole Palmer’s decline in numbers

Hoddle is absolutely right to pick out Palmer as a player whose performances have dipped.

The Chelsea star’s numbers this season tell the whole story, he’s, quite simply, not been at his best.

Of course, it’s hard to shine at a club like Chelsea right now when everything is going wrong, but, in terms of individual achievement, Palmer has been off it for quite some time now.

Hopefully Palmer can rediscover his best form as we head into the World Cup.