As Chelsea prepare for their UEFA Conference League final showdown against Real Betis next Wednesday, the spotlight is firmly on Cole Palmer.

The 22-year-old has been the standout performer for the Blues this season, carrying the team with goals, assists, and moments of pure magic. Yet, in a surprising twist, Palmer won’t be among the top earners if Chelsea clinch their first European title since 2021.

Why? It all comes down to appearances.
Chelsea’s bonus structure for the Conference League is strictly appearance-based. The more minutes and matches you’ve played in the tournament, the bigger your slice of the financial pie. Unfortunately for Palmer, he was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the first half of the campaign – a tactical decision by the club at the time to prioritise other players in European fixtures.

That move has cost him financially. Palmer has only made five appearances in Europe this season. Compare that to players like Filip Jorgensen, who has played in 13 Conference League matches and is in line for a much larger bonus.

Of course, that doesn’t take away from Palmer’s importance. Even if he plays just one more game – the final – and delivers a match-winning performance, his overall bonus will still lag behind teammates who clocked more time earlier in the campaign.

Still, it’s not all bad news for Palmer. His influence this season has been immense, and should Chelsea secure Champions League football next season, the financial incentives there are even bigger – and he’s certain to be at the centre of that journey from day one.
Cole Palmer might earn less in bonuses for this Conference League run, but make no mistake – his value to Chelsea is only rising. The best is yet to come.