Cole Palmer currently most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 33 despite disappointing form

WHAT to do with Cole Palmer (£5m)?

Many Dream Team managers are asking themselves that very question this week.

Dream Team

Palmer’s form has dropped off in the second half of the season[/caption]

It’s early days but Chelsea’s talisman is currently the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 33 despite his disappointing form.

Palmer seemed refreshed when he returned from injury after the injury break with a bright performance against Tottenham in Gameweek 29.

He provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez’s (£4.1m) winner that day as part of an eight-point return in what proved to be a frustrating false dawn.

Since then, the England international has mustered just 14 points from five outings.

Reuters

Palmer has been frustrated in recent months[/caption]

More broadly, he’s produced 69 points since the start of Gameweek 20 at a modest rate of 4.3 points-per-game.

This 16-game run has featured four assists but zero goals.

The last time Palmer appeared on the scoresheet was against Bournemouth on January 14th.

So why is he experiencing a popularity increase ahead of Gameweek 33?

For the answer, Dream Team bosses need to look at the Match Centre rather than the Stats Centre.

Alamy

Maresca has to balance a tight league situation with European trophy hopes[/caption]

Chelsea are one of just four teams with four fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks.

On Saturday, the Blues will host Everton in the Premier League before travelling to Sweden to face Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final on Thursday.

Then in Gameweek 34, Enzo Maresca’s side welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge before hosting the second leg of their European tie.

It’s understandable why gaffers hoping to target the remaining European fixtures are enthused by the prospect of Palmer being unleashed upon Djurgarden.

With all due respect to the Swedish outfit, they have to be considered far more favourable opponents than PSG, who await Arsenal in Gameweeks 33 and 34.

Elsewhere, Manchester United and Spurs are up against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo Glimt respectively in the Europa League but Dream Team bosses are naturally suspicious of two under-performing teams languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.

AP

Chelsea are Conference League favourites[/caption]

Chelsea have not been at their best for quite some time but they sit in sixth – worlds apart from the misery endured by fans of Man United and Spurs this season.

Despite a disappointing defeat to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their quarter-final, the West Londoners remain strong favourites to lift the Conference League trophy.

There’s little doubt that Chelsea’s schedule combined with Palmer’s mightily impressive overall record (290 points) aligns nicely.

But his form has become a major concern.

Getty

Palmer is feeling the love from Dream Team managers this week[/caption]

Both Bryan Mbeumo (£4.5m) and Morgan Rogers (£4.5m) leapfrogged Palmer at the weekend, knocking the 22-year-old down to fourth in midfield rankings.

Gaffers with Palmer in their ranks should almost certainly stick by him but those without him have a big decision to make when they come to confirm their transfers.

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