Cole Palmer compared to Steven Gerrard as Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea star is 'frustrated' by lack of quality around him

Despite a stellar start to life in London, Palmer’s form has taken a nosedive, with the attacker now enduring a goal drought stretching over 17 matches. This slump is his most testing spell since completing a £42.5 million ($53.8m) move from Manchester City in 2023.

However, Carragher is not willing to put the blame on Palmer alone. Instead, he pointed to a specific moment during Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Brighton in February as a worrying sign for those running the club as he observed Palmer's body language exuded a sense of mounting dissatisfaction.

In his coulmn for The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: "There was a moment during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in February which must have set off alarm bells in the Stamford Bridge boardroom. Palmer’s demeanour was one of frustration. It reminded me of Steven Gerrard during the more difficult periods at Liverpool, where he was looking around the pitch and realising team-mates were not at the required level."

Carragher recalled how Gerrard once questioned whether Liverpool’s ambitions matched his own, which nearly led to a blockbuster move to Chelsea between 2003 and 2005. Though the transfer never materialised, it wasn't for lack of trying on Chelsea’s part. According to Carragher, Gerrard stayed because he still saw a path to success at Anfield - culminating in the famous Champions League triumph of 2005.

"Gerrard started to ask himself if he was at the right club, prompting Chelsea to try to sign him in three successive summers between 2003-2005," he wrote. "On two occasions they were very close to doing the deal. How and why? Not because Liverpool were willing sellers. Not because Liverpool were under any financial pressure to offload any of their assets. Not because our captain and best player had a boyhood dream to move to London. And not because the club were unwilling to fight to keep their superstar.

"The reason the transfer nearly happened was because world-class players can only tolerate mediocrity for so long. Careers are short, and those with ambition who feel their talent is unfulfilled cannot stand waiting. They are not interested in hearing about “long-term” projects. They make their judgment at the end of every season whether they need to move on. Fortunately for Liverpool, Gerrard inspired us to win the Champions League in 2005 and we were genuine contenders to win it for the next four years."

Palmer, now 22, signed a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge through 2033, a strategic decision by Chelsea to protect their investment and comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). However, Carragher indicated that Liverpool should go after him this summer.

"It has been suggested that Liverpool, who play at Stamford Bridge this weekend, should build for the title defence by breaking the bank for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. It surprises me that no one has argued that Palmer should be on the new champions’ radar," he said.