Cole Palmer's emergence as Chelsea's most creative spark has sparked a debate about his best position, and a former Blues star has weighed in with a strong opinion. Shaun Wright-Phillips believes the club's path forward is clear: build the team around Palmer and unlock his full potential by deploying him as a central number ten.

After a season disrupted by a persistent groin injury, Palmer has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him a standout under Mauricio Pochettino, most memorably with a hat-trick against Wolves. While he has been used both centrally and on the right by managers Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Wright-Phillips argues that his vision and passing range are best utilized in a playmaking role behind the striker.

"If anything, he’s that player that if you had the team behind him, you could make him cheat a little bit, because you want him in a position where he’s close to the striker that can play those passes," Wright-Phillips stated. "I just think they need to find a way to play him as the number ten, because he is the maverick that you need... they should try to build a team around him."

This tactical shift could be key for Chelsea as they push for a top-five finish, relying on Palmer's nine league goals and creative output. The call comes as the team prepares for a crucial match against Manchester City, with manager Liam Rosenior confirming defensive absences but also welcoming Levi Colwill back to full training.