Analysis: Palmer's new role spells trouble for Man Utd

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 10.

Player analysis - Cole Palmer (Chelsea) 

Enzo Maresca unearthed a new attacking formula last weekend which could be tailor-made to trouble Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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With loanee winger Jadon Sancho ineligible to face his parent club on Sunday, Chelsea’s astute head coach took the opportunity to trial-run a new-look left hand side in the 2-1 win against Newcastle United.

The experiment worked brilliantly, with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto excelling as a partnership down that flank, supported by Reece James from behind.

Moving the irrepressible Palmer away from his usual position to the right of centre was a surprise, but the balance of this fresh set-up worked well.

Neto and Noni Madueke offered searing pace out wide as Chelsea morphed into a 3-2-2-3 in possession, with James becoming the left centre-back and right-back Malo Gusto pushed on high into a role that mirrored Palmer’s on the right.

Maresca seemed to enjoy what he saw. Afterwards he said this of his front five: “I think it worked top. Noni on one side, Pedro on the other, Cole in the pocket, Malo in the pocket, Nico there; they are all so good when they are making passes, passes, passes, we arrive in the last third and we can create chances and goals."

How they tested Newcastle

Palmer’s sensational pass to release Pedro Neto in the build-up to Nicolas Jackson’s opening goal was one of the highlights of the season so far.

Palmer used his exemplary passing range to outstanding effect, as he spotted Neto isolated in a 1v1 with Tino Livramento.

Maresca wanted Palmer’s distribution to help bring the best out of Neto at close quarters, and the plan worked.

Palmer's pass to Neto for Jackson's goal

If Palmer plays to the left of centre again this weekend, Man Utd’s right-sided centre-back Matthijs de Ligt must be careful not to repeat the mistakes made by Fabian Schar at Stamford Bridge.

Here you see him get sucked towards Palmer in midfield, but a sublime touch beats him, drawing a foul and yellow card.

That misjudgement cost the Magpies defender later on, when he was visibly worried about making another foul ahead of Chelsea’s second goal.

Palmer was released into a pocket of space and though he had a long way to run with the ball, Schar was too nervous to go towards him which meant he backed off, allowing the Chelsea star to shoot and score.

Palmer's winner v Newcastle

Releasing Cole

Jackson is enjoying a fine start to the campaign, scoring six goals in nine starts, but his link play is also fundamental for the Blues.

He likes to drop short on occasion, dragging a marker with him, and that often creates space for one of Chelsea’s quick wide forwards to exploit the gaps.

This "goal" below was disallowed for a marginal offside, but the way the move was constructed will be analysed by Man Utd ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

Jackson goes deep and turns sharply, leaving Neto in a 1v1 with Livramento, and Palmer isolated in a 1v1 with marker Bruno Guimaraes.

Full-back Livramento is too worried about Neto’s speed to cover on the inside, so Jackson picks out Palmer, who is fast enough to get away and latch onto the pass to score.

Would the likes of Casemiro or Christian Eriksen be vulnerable to situations like this if Palmer and Neto take up similar positions at Old Trafford? I believe so.

Therefore United must be very wary of asking their central defenders to follow Jackson into deeper areas, for fear of being left open to this type of attack.

Chelsea’s build-up play was very intelligent.

No set position

Chelsea’s last three Premier League fixtures have showcased Palmer’s tactical intelligence and versatility.

Most of his touches came down the right side at home to Nottingham Forest, often in wide areas.

In a 2-1 loss at Liverpool he was a little more central and given license to roam, before operating in a predominantly left-sided berth against Newcastle.

These heat maps explain that story.

Man Utd’s interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will not find it easy to make definitive plans around how to keep Palmer quiet.

Phenomenal end product

Containing Palmer is never easy, and his ability to hurt you with passes or runs from deep make him even more difficult to tame.

Chelsea’s talisman has created 22 chances in open play, the most in the division alongside Bernardo Silva; he has supplied seven through-balls (another joint-high) and nine big chances, which is only surpassed by Bukayo Saka's 12.

When you add in the goal threat he poses – he ranks fourth for most shots – then you really do have a near-perfect attacking player.

His shot and assist map for the season so far already looks incredibly crowded.

Moises the midfield’s main man

Chelsea’s positive start to 2024/25 is not solely down to one player of course.

Another standout star to have delivered consistently influential performances is central midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo has been determined to impress Maresca and his energy and ball-winning qualities have come to the fore.

His excellent recovery run and tackle thwarted Alexander Isak as he was poised to score an amazing solo goal last weekend, and that was typical of his efforts.

Caicedo has regained his reputation as one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders, which has been highlighted in the way he covers ground effectively.

He has been crucial off the ball, ranking third for tackles, fourth for tackles won, joint-fourth for duels won, sixth for interceptions and joint-sixth for possession won in the middle third.

Caicedo's defensive stats 2024/25

Caicedo’s strength and aggression is regularly the springboard for Chelsea’s dangerous turnover attacks.

Both he and Palmer are playing at levels way above those produced by their Man Utd counterparts so far this season and they are good enough to dominate this high-profile encounter.

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