Arjun Menon
Cole Palmer has not quite hit the heights expected of him in the Premier League so far this season, managing just three goals and no assists in 11 appearances for Chelsea.
The England international was one of the division’s standout performers last term, registering 15 goals and eight assists, but has struggled to consistently impose himself as either a scorer or creator during the current campaign.
Football can be unforgiving — particularly at Stamford Bridge — and Chelsea may not hesitate to explore elite alternatives if Palmer’s form does not improve over the coming months.
Chelsea preparing approach for £115m superstar
According to reports from Spain, Chelsea are already considering a blockbuster move for a global superstar who could arrive as a clear upgrade in the number ten role.
The report claims that BlueCo are preparing an approach for Real Madrid attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham, with the England international viewed as a potential marquee signing for new head coach Liam Rosenior.
Concerns reportedly exist at Chelsea over Palmer’s long-term future, amid suggestions he could be tempted to return to Manchester City should Enzo Maresca eventually succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
However, any move for Bellingham would be enormously difficult to complete. The 21-year-old is said to feel that his journey at Real Madrid is only just beginning and is not currently considering a departure from the Santiago Bernabéu.
Los Blancos signed Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth up to £115 million, and he is now valued at £139 million by Transfermarkt. The Spanish giants are reportedly unwilling to part ways with one of the most influential players in world football.
Read also: Liam Rosenior Aims to Build Chelsea’s Version of Manchester United’s Class of ’92
Why Bellingham would be an upgrade on Palmer
As unlikely as the transfer may appear, there is a clear footballing argument for Chelsea targeting Bellingham if the opportunity ever arises.
Palmer’s output in the Premier League has dipped significantly, with just three goal contributions from 11 matches. By comparison, Bellingham has already delivered four goals and three assists in 15 LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid this season.
Across all competitions, the midfielder has registered five goals and four assists for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, following on from an outstanding 2024/25 campaign in which he recorded 14 goals and 13 assists, according to Sofascore.
Those numbers underline Bellingham’s consistency at the very highest level. His attacking output, combined with his dominance in duels and off-the-ball work, suggests he is currently offering more to his team than Palmer.
Unlike Palmer, Bellingham brings an exceptional physical edge to the number ten role. He is as committed defensively as he is devastating going forward, capable of making crunching tackles before surging into the box to score decisive goals.
That complete skill set is why German journalist Raphael Honigstein once described Bellingham as a “generational” talent — a midfielder who thrives both in and out of possession.
While major obstacles remain, Chelsea would unquestionably be upgrading their attacking midfield options if they could somehow convince both Real Madrid and Bellingham to sanction a move, whether in January or during the summer window.