Rosenior says Palmer to Man Utd links ‘unrealistic’

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior insisted Cole Palmer is happy at the club and made it clear he considers the England international ‘untouchable’ amid recent links with a move to Manchester United.

Palmer has endured a difficult 2025-26 season for the Blues, with his campaign hindered by injury issues.

The former Manchester City forward has five goals in 13 appearances in all competitions this season and has yet to register an assist. Last season, he scored 15 goals and contributed 11 assists and then played a starring role in Chelsea’s victorious Club World Cup campaign.

Manchester-born Palmer is a boyhood United fan and links with a move to Old Trafford came following reports he is homesick in London.

Rosenior, though, dismissed such speculation emphatically.

Asked if he considered Palmer untouchable and if the 23-year-old is happy at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior told a press conference: “Yes and yes. Cole is an incredible player, like I have the guy sitting next to me [Moises Caicedo] and many players in the group.

“I’m not surprised at the timing, a new manager comes in and a player is unsettled. It’s not true. Cole is here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.”

Rosenior was pressed on whether he had held any discussions over Palmer’s future with Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Napoli, Rosenior added: “There’s no reason for an assurance. It’s so unrealistic [that he would join United]. It’s come from nowhere.

“There is no need to have the conversation. Cole is happy. You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth there is no point having a conversation about it.”

Chelsea visit the Stadio San Paolo eighth in the league phase table. They are one of eight teams on 13 points and will almost certainly need a positive result to seal a top-eight finish and automatic progression to the last 16.