Jamie Carragher has raised concerns over Cole Palmer’s future at Chelsea, warning that the 22-year-old could look for a move elsewhere if the Blues fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Palmer cut a frustrated figure as Chelsea suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat against Brighton on Friday night, their second loss to the Seagulls in just six days following their FA Cup elimination. The result leaves Chelsea in danger of slipping out of the top four, adding to fears that their prolonged absence from Europe’s elite competition could cost them one of their best players.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher questioned whether Palmer would be willing to wait for Chelsea’s long-term project to deliver silverware.

“The problem with the idea that this project is going to take two or three years is that the best players who are in the team won’t wait [that long].”

The former Liverpool defender emphasized that Palmer is already among the Premier League’s best players and should be competing for major honours.

“Cole Palmer is one of the best players in the Premier League. He wasn’t at his best [against Brighton], but you could see that he was beginning to feel frustrated.

“He is good enough to be competing for the biggest honours in the Premier League and the Champions League. He has scored in a European Championship final.”

Palmer has been a revelation since his £42.5 million move from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, lighting up English football with 36 goals in 58 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. However, he has yet to feature in the Champions League, and with Chelsea winning just two league matches since mid-December, their top-four hopes are hanging by a thread.

Carragher further stressed the importance of Champions League qualification, calling Chelsea’s failure to secure a place in Europe’s premier competition a “disaster.”

“They have to get Champions League football. If they don’t, it will be a disaster.”

“The one [concerning sign] from this game [against Brighton] was not just how poor they were but also the signs of frustration shown by Palmer.”

With Chelsea facing a crucial trip to Aston Villa next Saturday, the pressure is mounting on Enzo Maresca’s side to turn their form around and keep their Champions League hopes alive. If they fail, Palmer’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge could come into question.