Club World Cup: Liverpool legend slams Chelsea star for lack of composure against LAFC

Former Scotland and Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has commented on the form of one Chelsea player. 

Nicol, who made over 400 appearances for Liverpool across his trophy-laden career with the Reds was speaking on ESPN after the Blues' 2-0 success against the MLS side. 

Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez saw the Stamford Bridge outfit notch maximum points in their group opener, setting the stage nicely before June 20's fixture with Brazilian giants Flamengo. 

The former Liverpool defender stated that Cole Palmer’s performances and end product have dipped since Christmas 2024, citing the Englishman’s second-half miss against LAFC as proof of his dip in execution. 

“I’m afraid it was more bad than good,” Nicol said of Palmer’s performance. “I think the miss kind of sums up where he is right now. 

“Had this been pre-Christmas of last year, he would have delivered. Since Christmas, too many giveaways, too many bad decisions, the composure that he had has disappeared.

“For the guy who is supposed to be scoring goals or making goals, he’s got I think three goals and two assists in the second-half of the season. 

“He’s struggling right now and they need to get him back to the pre-Christmas Cole Palmer.”

Following Monday’s victory over LAFC, Chelsea will play Flamengo on June 20 and ES Tunis five days later in their Club World Cup campaign.