FORMER Chelsea striker Demba Ba has joined the ongoing debate surrounding the form of star Cole Palmer, insisting the forward is flying solo.
The 22-year-old had a record-breaking first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists.
However, this season he has only managed 14 goals and has not scored in his last 16 appearances.
Ba, who scored one of the most iconic Chelsea goals against Liverpool, has outlined how Palmer could weather his current slump, using the example of the greatest rivalry in world football.
Ba exclusively told The Sun: “Competition is good for everyone.
“It worked for me, and I think [Lionel] Messi wouldn’t have been the player he is today without the competition from Cristiano [Ronaldo], and vice versa. So, I will never shy away from saying competition is healthy.”
“Someone like Cole Palmer doesn’t have much experience in football, or even in life. Football is life, and there will be tough days.
“But if you have an experienced figure to lean on, you can get through the storm.
“Palmer is in a rough patch, and although he is managing with his personality and continuing to perform, something is missing.
“He could benefit immensely from having someone who has been in that situation before to guide him.”
Ba – who scored seven goals in 33 goals for the Blues – also defended underperforming striker Christopher Nkunku, who was left out of Chelsea’s win against Fulham over the weekend for technical reasons.
The French forward has struggled with form, and injuries have prevented him from finding consistency.
Despite making a big impact at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, he has spent much of his time on the sidelines, with just seven league starts and three goals to his name so far this campaign.
Chelsea are desperately chasing a spot in the Champions League, Ba understands that Nkunku is trying to establish himself but believes the forward could benefit from showing more personality.
Ba added: ” I wouldn’t say Chelsea is lacking strikers. If you look at a player like Nkunku, he’s trying to make a name for himself in the Premier League.
“However, the issue is experience and personality. They need someone who has the personality to handle the pressure, someone who can endure pain but also command the respect of the younger players in the team.”
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