Debbie Tully

🚨 Alan Shearer on Cole Palmer’s red card against Tottenham tonight. 🎙️ Reporter: Alan Shearer, what’s your reaction to Cole Palmer’s red card against Tottenham? 🗣️ Alan Shearer: “I’m sorry, but I’m going to say something that Chelsea fans probably won’t want to hear. Cole Palmer has been getting away with too much simply because he’s Cole Palmer. “Let’s be honest, this is a player Chelsea depend on to deliver in the biggest games. But what’s the point of being your team’s most talented player if you end up leaving them in trouble when they need you the most? “I’ve heard people talking about the referee, the pressure of the derby and how Tottenham were trying to get under his skin. But these are the games where the best players separate themselves from the rest. They don’t allow their opponents to dictate their behaviour. “And what frustrates me most is that some Chelsea fans will defend him regardless of what happens. If another player had done the same thing, they would be calling him a disgrace and demanding that the manager drop him. “Is Cole Palmer bigger than Chelsea now? Because sometimes, watching the way people react to his mistakes, you would think he is untouchable. “Don’t get me wrong, I think Palmer is a fantastic footballer. He has the ability to change games in a moment. But football isn’t just about what you do with the ball. It’s also about your discipline, your responsibility and what you offer your teammates when things aren’t going your way. “Chelsea cannot keep building everything around one player and then pretend his mistakes don’t matter because of his talent. “If Palmer wants to be considered one of the best players in the Premier League, he must accept the same criticism as everybody else. “Because right now, I want to ask Chelsea fans one simple question: if this red card had been given to Enzo Fernández instead of Cole Palmer, would you be defending him with the same energy? “Talent earns you respect. It doesn’t give you immunity from criticism.”