Paul Merson called Chelsea’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend a “concern” and says West Ham will be aiming to shut down Cole Palmer to close off the Blues’ creativity.
Read on as Merson discusses Chelsea’s lack of cutting edge against Palace, Palmer’s struggles and the improvements West Ham need to make…
‘Stop Palmer, stop Chelsea’
Highlights from the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
The draw against Crystal Palace was worrying for Chelsea.
Chelsea were not good.
If Cole Palmer isn’t going to break a team down, I’m not sure who is for Chelsea. If opposition teams pick him up and mark him well, I’m not sure what threat Chelsea have. Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens have pace, but they struggled to beat their defenders on Sunday.
He needs some support.
Friday 22nd August 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
‘Palmer needs to trust team and stop dropping deep’
Palmer is the talk of the town in team talks against Chelsea. Teams are trying to stop him because they think stop him, stop Chelsea. Stop Cole Palmer will be the message for West Ham on Friday. That’s just how it is.
Palmer also has to have a bit of faith in the team. He needs to stay as high up the pitch as he can because when he gets frustrated, he gets deeper and deeper. He goes shorter and shorter to get the ball and it’s so difficult to hurt a team from inside his own half.
It’s hard for Palmer. You’ve got to have runners around when you get the ball and for me, he hasn’t got those.
It’s not just all on Palmer because the coach has to come up with solutions, too. He has to work out a way to get him the ball in areas where he can hurt teams. But for Palmer, patience is key. He has to wait for the ball a bit more instead of dropping deep to come and get it.
You cannot hurt anybody on the halfway line. He needs the ball in and around the box where he’s special.
‘Palmer will miss Jackson’
Amid rumours linking Nicolas Jackson away from Stamford Bridge, we take a look at some of the Senegalese forward’s highs and lows for Chelsea in the Premier League.
Palmer will miss Nicolas Jackson this season.
Jackson was a willing runner for Palmer, and he created so much space for him.
I know he was a bit messy with his play and he missed chances, but he was game. He had an ability to take defenders the other way and when you do that, it opens space for Palmer.
Jamie O’Hara says Raheem Sterling needs to find consistency, if he wants to find himself back in the picture with the England national team.
When you play like Palmer, you want as much space as you can, and Jackson helped provide that.
Now, Joao Pedro isn’t really an out-and-out centre forward. He likes to come short too and that’s not helpful for Palmer. If the middle of the pitch is suffocated, then it takes Palmer out of the equation.
I am not sure the decision to potentially move on Jackson is the right one. You have to remember how good Palmer was with Jackson. Jackson made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson.
‘Eze could have helped Chelsea’
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze had his free-kick disallowed against Chelsea
I cannot believe Chelsea didn’t go for Eberechi Eze.
I really don’t know what I am missing.
They buy winger after winger, but they need guile. They need more than Palmer.
If you get Eze, you then have two players who can break teams down.
They are predictable for me. They play with two quick wingers, with Palmer trying to feed them.
‘Bigger game for Chelsea than West Ham’
Highlights of the Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham.
I don’t think coming up against Chelsea is a bad game for West Ham.
Of course, the defeat at Sunderland is a concern. They were extremely poor at the Stadium of Light, and you can understand the worry from the supporters.
West Ham fanalyst Russ Budden says his side were ‘awful’ on Saturday against Sunderland and is worried there’s a lack of energy and pace in their midfield.
The Hammers need more energy in midfield. They were overrun by Sunderland, who put in a good performance.
The game against West Ham is a bigger game for Chelsea, in my opinion.
Watch West Ham vs Chelsea live on Sky Sports on Friday from 7pm; kick off 8pm
Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season
215 live premier league matches up from 128 this season on Sky Sports
From this season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games this season are on Sky Sports.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Varfolomejev přestoupil do Anglie. Uvolnili jsme ho za zajímavých podmínek, prozradil Nezmar
Na nedělní zápas se Spartou již nebyl Varfolomejev ani nominován. „Přestup se asi blíží,“ prozradil po prohře 0:2 kouč Radoslav Kováč. V následujícím týdnu oba kluby přestup defenzivního záložníka potvrdily.„Ivan je perspektivní fotbalista, který může mít na trhu mnohem větší hodnotu, než má teď, nicméně musí pravidelně hrát. To by se však vzhledem k jeho typologii u nás dělo spíš méně, a proto jsme se rozhodli ho uvolnit na přestup už teď za zajímavých podmínek a zároveň si ponechat větší podíl na jeho dalším transferu,“ řekl generální ředitel libereckého klubu Jan Nezmar.Bude Liberec shánět za Varfolomejeva náhradu? „Myslím, že téma to určitě bude,“ naznačil kouč Radoslav Kováč na Slovan+. Slovan potvrdil zájem o Ondřeje Kričfalušiho ze Slavie, ovšem nedávno již Liberci ztroskotala snaha přivést z Edenu na stejnou pozici Filipa Prebsla.Pro třetiligový Lincoln City má jít o největší transfer v jeho historii. Spekuluje se o částce dvaceti milionů korun, která nemusí […]
Craque Neto crava ausência de Neymar na próxima convocação de Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Ele não vai”
Neymar durante Santos x Vasco no Brasileirão - Alexandre Schneider/Getty ImagesCraque Neto está convicto de que Neymar não estará na próxima convocação da seleção brasileira. Durante a exibição de Internacional x Flamengo, em sua Web Rádio, no YouTube, o apresentador do Os Donos da Bola assegurou que o camisa 10 do Santos será uma ausência certa na lista do técnico Carlo Ancelotti para os dois últimos compromissos nas Eliminatórias. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEClassificado para a Copa do Mundo 2026, o Brasil vai enfrentar o Chile, no Maracanã, dia 4 de setembro, e depois encara a Bolívia, em El Alto, no dia 9. A princípio, o atacante do Peixe foi incluído pelo italiano na pré-lista, assim como o goleiro Gabriel Brazão.“Será que o Neymar vai ou não [ser convocado]?”, perguntou um internauta na transmissão. “Não, ele não vai”, respondeu prontamente o Craque Neto, […]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will put injured Chris Godwin on 53-man roster
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward with plans to keep Chris Godwin on their 53-man roster as the wide receiver continues his recovery from a significant ankle injury.The 29-year-old suffered the injury during a clash with the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2024, forced to undergo surgery and consequently ruled out of the remainder of the campaign.Desmond Watson sidelined Bucs massive 430 pound defensive tackle still not allowed to practice.While he is unlikely to appear as early as September, the Bucs anticipate he will begin practicing as early as Week 2, marking the first tangible step toward a full return.The report is according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reveals the franchise intends to activate Godwin from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before the start of the regular season.His absence creates early-season challenges for Tampa Bay's receiving corps, […]
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Headline Top 10 Ranked Players in NBA 2K26
NBA 2K26 will be released on Sept. 5, with pre-orders having begun on July 9 and early access attainable on Aug. 29. That said, the top-rated players were unveiled by NBA 2K's X handle on Thursday morning.Here are the top-10 ranked players in NBA 2K26.PPG = Points per gameRPG = Rebounds per gameAPG = Assists per gameSPG = Steals per gameBPH = Blocks per game2024-25 stats: 26.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.2 BPGCareer accolades: One-time MVP, 11-time All-NBA, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.8 BPGCareer accolades: One-time All-Star, one-time All-Defensive2024-25 stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPGCareer accolades: Five-time All-NBA, one-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.4 PPG, 8.2 APG, 7.8 RPG, 1.0 SPGCareer accolades: Four-time MVP, six-time All-Defensive, 21-time All-NBA, one-time scoring champion, four-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.5 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.4 […]
Konkurent Vejmelky s Vaněčkem přestál temné období, teď hlásí návrat
Osmadvacetiletý Ingram v NHL naposledy nastoupil 22. února. Na počátku března pak informoval o vstupu do programu kvůli psychickým potížím, které vyvolalo prosincové úmrtí jeho matky na rakovinu.To už měl Ingram s asistenčním programem zkušenosti. Jeho součástí byl také v roce 2021, kdy ještě hájil barvy Nashvillu. Od té doby mluvil otevřeně o své nediagnostikované obsedantně-kompulzivní poruše, která ho dovedla k pití, aby se vyrovnal s úzkostmi.Dokázal se ale vrátit. Přibližně o devět měsíců později debutoval v NHL a za sezonu 2023/24, kterou odchytal v dresu Arizony před stěhováním týmu do Utahu, získal Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy za vytrvalost, sportovního ducha a oddanost hokeji.Ingram má na kontě 102 zápasů v NHL s průměrem 3,14 inkasované branky a úspěšností 90,2 procenta. Sedmkrát udržel čisté konto, v play off chytal čtyřikrát.
Humpy Wheeler, the ‘P.T. Barnum of Motorsports,’ Dies at 86
Humpy Wheeler, a pioneering motorsports promoter and former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has died, NASCAR said. He was 86.Charlotte Motor Speedway said Wheeler died of natural causes Wednesday in Charlotte, surrounded by his family."Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport," said NASCAR chairman Jim France. "During his decades leading Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy transformed the fan experience through his creativity, bold ideas and tireless passion. His efforts helped expand NASCAR’s national footprint, cement Charlotte as a must-visit racing and entertainment complex."Howard Augustine Wheeler Jr. was born in 1938 in Belmont, North Carolina, and gained his first major publicity job with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. He held several other positions after Firestone shut down its racing program in 1970 and was hired at Charlotte Motor Speedway by […]
Related
Varfolomejev přestoupil do Anglie. Uvolnili jsme ho za zajímavých podmínek, prozradil Nezmar
Na nedělní zápas se Spartou již nebyl Varfolomejev ani nominován. „Přestup se asi blíží,“ prozradil po prohře 0:2 kouč Radoslav Kováč. V následujícím týdnu oba kluby přestup defenzivního záložníka potvrdily.„Ivan je perspektivní fotbalista, který může mít na trhu mnohem větší hodnotu, než má teď, nicméně musí pravidelně hrát. To by se však vzhledem k jeho typologii u nás dělo spíš méně, a proto jsme se rozhodli ho uvolnit na přestup už teď za zajímavých podmínek a zároveň si ponechat větší podíl na jeho dalším transferu,“ řekl generální ředitel libereckého klubu Jan Nezmar.Bude Liberec shánět za Varfolomejeva náhradu? „Myslím, že téma to určitě bude,“ naznačil kouč Radoslav Kováč na Slovan+. Slovan potvrdil zájem o Ondřeje Kričfalušiho ze Slavie, ovšem nedávno již Liberci ztroskotala snaha přivést z Edenu na stejnou pozici Filipa Prebsla.Pro třetiligový Lincoln City má jít o největší transfer v jeho historii. Spekuluje se o částce dvaceti milionů korun, která nemusí […]
Craque Neto crava ausência de Neymar na próxima convocação de Ancelotti na seleção brasileira: “Ele não vai”
Neymar durante Santos x Vasco no Brasileirão - Alexandre Schneider/Getty ImagesCraque Neto está convicto de que Neymar não estará na próxima convocação da seleção brasileira. Durante a exibição de Internacional x Flamengo, em sua Web Rádio, no YouTube, o apresentador do Os Donos da Bola assegurou que o camisa 10 do Santos será uma ausência certa na lista do técnico Carlo Ancelotti para os dois últimos compromissos nas Eliminatórias. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEClassificado para a Copa do Mundo 2026, o Brasil vai enfrentar o Chile, no Maracanã, dia 4 de setembro, e depois encara a Bolívia, em El Alto, no dia 9. A princípio, o atacante do Peixe foi incluído pelo italiano na pré-lista, assim como o goleiro Gabriel Brazão.“Será que o Neymar vai ou não [ser convocado]?”, perguntou um internauta na transmissão. “Não, ele não vai”, respondeu prontamente o Craque Neto, […]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will put injured Chris Godwin on 53-man roster
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward with plans to keep Chris Godwin on their 53-man roster as the wide receiver continues his recovery from a significant ankle injury.The 29-year-old suffered the injury during a clash with the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2024, forced to undergo surgery and consequently ruled out of the remainder of the campaign.Desmond Watson sidelined Bucs massive 430 pound defensive tackle still not allowed to practice.While he is unlikely to appear as early as September, the Bucs anticipate he will begin practicing as early as Week 2, marking the first tangible step toward a full return.The report is according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reveals the franchise intends to activate Godwin from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before the start of the regular season.His absence creates early-season challenges for Tampa Bay's receiving corps, […]
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Headline Top 10 Ranked Players in NBA 2K26
NBA 2K26 will be released on Sept. 5, with pre-orders having begun on July 9 and early access attainable on Aug. 29. That said, the top-rated players were unveiled by NBA 2K's X handle on Thursday morning.Here are the top-10 ranked players in NBA 2K26.PPG = Points per gameRPG = Rebounds per gameAPG = Assists per gameSPG = Steals per gameBPH = Blocks per game2024-25 stats: 26.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.2 BPGCareer accolades: One-time MVP, 11-time All-NBA, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.8 BPGCareer accolades: One-time All-Star, one-time All-Defensive2024-25 stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPGCareer accolades: Five-time All-NBA, one-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.4 PPG, 8.2 APG, 7.8 RPG, 1.0 SPGCareer accolades: Four-time MVP, six-time All-Defensive, 21-time All-NBA, one-time scoring champion, four-time NBA champion2024-25 stats: 24.5 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.4 […]
Konkurent Vejmelky s Vaněčkem přestál temné období, teď hlásí návrat
Osmadvacetiletý Ingram v NHL naposledy nastoupil 22. února. Na počátku března pak informoval o vstupu do programu kvůli psychickým potížím, které vyvolalo prosincové úmrtí jeho matky na rakovinu.To už měl Ingram s asistenčním programem zkušenosti. Jeho součástí byl také v roce 2021, kdy ještě hájil barvy Nashvillu. Od té doby mluvil otevřeně o své nediagnostikované obsedantně-kompulzivní poruše, která ho dovedla k pití, aby se vyrovnal s úzkostmi.Dokázal se ale vrátit. Přibližně o devět měsíců později debutoval v NHL a za sezonu 2023/24, kterou odchytal v dresu Arizony před stěhováním týmu do Utahu, získal Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy za vytrvalost, sportovního ducha a oddanost hokeji.Ingram má na kontě 102 zápasů v NHL s průměrem 3,14 inkasované branky a úspěšností 90,2 procenta. Sedmkrát udržel čisté konto, v play off chytal čtyřikrát.
Humpy Wheeler, the ‘P.T. Barnum of Motorsports,’ Dies at 86
Humpy Wheeler, a pioneering motorsports promoter and former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has died, NASCAR said. He was 86.Charlotte Motor Speedway said Wheeler died of natural causes Wednesday in Charlotte, surrounded by his family."Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport," said NASCAR chairman Jim France. "During his decades leading Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy transformed the fan experience through his creativity, bold ideas and tireless passion. His efforts helped expand NASCAR’s national footprint, cement Charlotte as a must-visit racing and entertainment complex."Howard Augustine Wheeler Jr. was born in 1938 in Belmont, North Carolina, and gained his first major publicity job with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. He held several other positions after Firestone shut down its racing program in 1970 and was hired at Charlotte Motor Speedway by […]
Be the first to leave a comment