Some very worrying rumours are coming out of Spain today claims that Cole Palmer is unhappy with Enzo Maresca and his tactics.

According to reports from Fichajes, Palmer feels the Italian coach’s restrictive systems are limiting him and his teammates.

A top 10 finish in the Ballon d’Or, while playing for a team which right now doesn’t look ready to compete for the Premier League or the Champions League, is likely to have sharpened any feeling of discontent from the genius attacking midfielder.

Andrey Santos comes on for Cole Palmer. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

It should be pointed out that Fichajes are a pretty dreadful source, who report almost exclusively on transfer rumours. None of the big accounts or insiders have said the same – nor have they even commented on these rumours yet.

Palmer has years left on his contract and has so far absolutely blossomed at Chelsea. We’re in a bad patch now, and his injury problems will be frustrating, but let’s be serious. Just a few months ago we were lifting the Club World Cup.

We need to keep moving forward to keep him happy, but there is absolutely no need to panic unless this season really turns into a disaster.

However, just because we don’t happen to believe that Palmer is unhappy yet doesn’t mean it isn’t coming eventually.

Indeed, the very fact that these rumours are being put around now shows that people are expecting Palmer to become dissatisfied, whether or not it has really reached that point.

Maresca and the club need to take this team to the next level, where Palmer already is. No player that good will be satisfied if they feel the team around them isn’t ready to match their ambitions.