Cole Palmer has big month ahead for Chelsea and England, what is Liam Rosenior's best XI and can English football do more to help?

React to this story

Chelsea were well beaten over two round of 16 legs against reigning UEFA Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain, with Luis Enrique's side serving full notice of their credentials for back-to-back European crowns. Among the takeaways for Chelsea fans are the form and fitness of Cole Palmer, Liam Rosenior's choices over his best XI and how to replace Reece James.

Barcola 'pops the balloon' at Chelsea with early second for PSG

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Palmer Prognosis

Last July in New York was the signature performance of Cole Palmer's club career to date. A double and a player-of-the-match display lit up the FIFA Club World Cup summer showdown against Paris Saint-Germain, but over two legs against the current European champions eight months later, the England star failed to have the same impact.

His season has been hugely disrupted by injury and as yet he doesn't quite look like the 24/25 Palmer.

Transfers

Arsenal to re-enter Barcola race, Man Utd eye Spanish left-back - Euro Transfer News

9 hours ago

PSG also looked like they had done their homework, with Palmer - operating more centrally than the CWC final - not finding anything like the sort of room he did that day in New York, being closed down relentlessly by PSG's midfield and growing increasingly frustrated, before he was removed.

The next month feels like a hugely important time for the 23-year-old to find form and top fitness, not just for the sake of Chelsea, but also with a World Cup on the horizon.

The question is - with the current options at his disposal - will England boss Thomas Tuchel even give a starting spot to Palmer in the spring friendlies?

'Eye-opening' defeat shows Chelsea 'million miles away' from PSG - Cole

Video credit: TNT Sports

James loss huge

The misfortune that befell Chelsea at right-back before the second leg would have been hard to imagine.

If it wasn't enough that Reece James was out with a worrying hamstring injury, Malo Gusto was also ill, meaning centre-back Mamadou Sarr - who only arrived back at Chelsea last month from a loan at Strasbourg - was parachuted into playing right-back. In a Champions League knockout game. Against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

If Sarr was Chelsea's square peg in a round hole, then it didn't take long for PSG to ruthlessly expose it - six minutes to be precise.

It was a simple ball over the top but Sarr - on the turn in an awkward, unusual position - didn't deal with it and Chelsea's bubble was burst just when the crowd were at their most expectant.

Chelsea needed all their best tools to trouble this PSG and club captain James - for his attacking threat as much as his defensive solidity - was sorely missed.

It won't be just Rosenior bemoaning James' absence but Tuchel as well.

Both managers will hope the prognosis sees him back fit within days rather than weeks.

Kvaratskhelia strikes as Chelsea make 'worst possible start' after Sarr mistake

Video credit: TNT Sports

Can English football do more to help?

PSG proved themselves a cut above Chelsea over the two legs - the aggregate score made that quite clear.

However, while Chelsea were slogging it out against Newcastle in the Premier League last Saturday, PSG were resting, enjoying a week off at a crucial time of the season.

Add this to the fact that a couple of months back, the reigning UCL champions took a winter break with no league games for 17 days.

There are, of course, footballing reasons why English teams have struggled so far in the UCL knockouts.

But it is undeniable that more could, in theory, be done for them to arrive at these crucial games in a better state.

With football's expansion showing no sign of letting up, it remains to be seen if that will happen.

What is Chelsea's best team?

Under their BlueCo ownership, Chelsea have brought in a raft of signings over recent years designed to not only bolster their current-day side, but with an eye on the future too.

In doing so, their head coach have certainly not been devoid of options - especially at the top end of the pitch - but rarely has there been a front three or four that has picked itself.

And the same appears true now with Palmer a guaranteed starter when fit but the options around him not often clear.

Pedro Neto or Alejandro Garnacho? Estevao or Jamie Gittens? Joao Pedro or Liam Delap?

And what about at the back - Wesley Fofana or Tosin Adarabioyo? Jorrell Hato or Josh Acheampong?

An embarrassment of riches to some, but Rosenior has a job on his hands to mould them into an XI capable of competing at the elite level every three days.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers