'It's crazy': Chelsea's decision to tie Cole Palmer down to a new contract until 2033 is a huge 'gamble' and could backfire
Chelsea are 'mad' to extend Cole Palmer's contract until 2033 and their decision could backfire.
That's the view of the former Liverpool midfielder and talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphywho has stated that there is no “logic” in the renewal.
Palmer signed a two-year extension in Stamford Bridge on Monday after an impressive inaugural season in which he contributed 25 goals and 15 assists in 45 games in all competitions.
The former Manchester City star also impressed at Euro 2024, where he scored in EnglandThe final defeat of the Spanish team against Spain by 2-1.
But Murphy believes there was no need for Chelsea to extend his stay, insisting it is a “gamble” with so many members of their squad now on long-term deals.
Talking about the White and Jordan “It's quite unique what Chelsea have done and are doing,” he said.
“I think it's madness on both counts, well, not so much for the player, but for the club's commitment to pay a player a salary for nine years, who regardless of his talent, could suffer one or two horrendous injuries.
“He might lose his appetite, he might change his philosophy and attitude in the way he conducts himself, in the way he plays.
“It's a big gamble to do it with so many players, I don't see why you would do that when you already have him signed for seven (years).”
“So I don't understand, they could have increased his salary and left him with the same sentence period if that was the problem, because apparently he doesn't earn that much money.
“But it doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense.”
Although Murphy was critical of Chelsea, he has no problem with Palmer signing new terms, saying that as a player you have to think of yourself first.
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He commented: “Someone once told me when I was a young player: 'Never turn down a contract', it gives you security.
“Obviously, the higher level you play, the more money you make and the more selective you can be in your contract.
“But it's a pretty decent philosophy for most footballers to protect themselves, if they offer you at the peak of your career, when you're playing really well, a really healthy contract for a long period of time, sign it.
“Because you can always get out of there, you can always move, so I think it's a very good idea for a player to sign it.
“The reality is that players generally accept it when they have that much money in front of them and they know that if something goes really wrong, then they can walk away.”
Palmer is hoping to start for Chelsea in their opening Premier League game against his former employers City in west London on Sunday.
He returned to action in the recent 1-1 pre-season draw with Inter Milan, where he came on as a substitute.
