Chelsea interim boss Callum McFarlane is pushing back against the growing narrative that Cole Palmer has lost his edge, insisting the star remains "a top, top player" despite recent criticism.

Let's be honest—most of us haven't seen the same Cole Palmer who single-handedly carried Chelsea last season. When he arrived from Manchester City, it quickly became "Cole Palmer FC." He was the spark, the difference-maker, the reason the Blues stayed afloat. But lately? The magic hasn't been as bright. The stats, the analysis, the eye test—they all point to a dip.

McFarlane, however, sees it differently. In comments shared by The Evening Standard, the interim boss defended his playmaker:

"I don't agree with the narrative that he isn't playing well. There are games where he can impact more, but he's also created a lot of good chances. He can't control whether those are finished off—he just puts the ball where it needs to be."

McFarlane pointed out that Palmer has had "some really good games in the last three months" and that it's simply about "building consistency." He added, "He's still one of the best in the world for me. I have no concerns about him being ready for big moments—whether that's for Chelsea, in the World Cup, or for England."

The boss also dismissed any notion that Palmer's mentality has changed. "He plays with freedom, sees things others don't. It's the same player, just doing it at a higher level against tougher opposition."

Whether you side with McFarlane or the critics, one thing's clear: Palmer remains a player to watch—and for Chelsea fans, that's still something worth getting excited about.