Shaun Wright-Phillips Urges Chelsea to "Cheat" Tactically to Unshackle Maverick Cole Palmer

Former winger Shaun Wright-Phillips urges Chelsea to unshackle Cole Palmer and warns Alejandro Garnacho to put his ego in check to improve results.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Granting Cole Palmer Maverick Status at Stamford Bridge

As Chelsea navigates a difficult conclusion to the 2025/26 campaign, former Blues winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has proposed a radical tactical shift to revitalize the team's stagnant attack. Wright-Phillips argued that Cole Palmer, who has managed only nine Premier League goals this season compared to his record-shattering debut year, is being wasted in a system that demands high defensive work rates. He suggested that Chelsea should allow Palmer to "cheat" by staying high up the pitch, closer to the striker, where his vision and passing can be utilized as a true "number 10." According to Wright-Phillips, a player of Palmer’s caliber should be treated as a maverick around whom the entire offensive structure is built.

Concerns Over Alejandro Garnacho’s Ego and Performance

While Palmer remains a central figure, his fellow attacker Alejandro Garnacho has faced sharp criticism for his recent dip in form. Since his high-profile £40 million move from Manchester United last summer, the 21-year-old has scored only once in 20 Premier League appearances. Wright-Phillips warned Garnacho that he needs to put his "ego in check" if he wants to avoid a permanent role on the substitutes' bench. He emphasized that the Chelsea faithful require "110 percent" effort and that one strong season is not enough to maintain a starting position at a top-tier club, especially with the depth currently available in the Blues' squad.

Liam Rosenior Faces Defensive Dilemmas Amid Top Four Chase

The tactical advice comes at a sensitive time for manager Liam Rosenior, who took over from Enzo Maresca in January 2026. Chelsea currently sits in sixth place with 48 points, trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by six points with only seven games remaining. While the squad boasts nearly seven specialist wingers, the team has struggled for consistency, winning just two of their last nine matches. Rosenior has recently been tight-lipped regarding the development of star midfielder Enzo Fernandez, but the pressure to integrate offensive mavericks like Palmer while maintaining defensive stability remains his primary challenge in the quest for European qualification.