Chelsea icon Frank Leboeuf has advised Cole Palmer to reject any future interest from Real Madrid, warning that the move would likely result in him being benched behind stars like Jude Bellingham.
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has issued a stern warning to Cole Palmer regarding a potential future move to Real Madrid.
Despite Palmer’s meteoric rise at Stamford Bridge, Leboeuf believes the England international must resist the lure of the Spanish giants to avoid stalling his career.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the world’s elite playmakers since joining from Manchester City, but Leboeuf insists that a transfer to the Bernabeu currently makes little tactical sense.
The World Cup winner highlighted the intense competition for places in Madrid’s star-studded midfield as a primary concern.
Addressing the player’s potential dilemma, Leboeuf questioned where the young star would actually fit into the lineup.
“If you are Cole Palmer, do you want to play for Real Madrid? Where are you going to play? You have Jude Bellingham, so many others,” Leboeuf told Goal.
He emphasized that the prestige of the club is secondary to guaranteed playing time at this stage of his development.
Leboeuf further argued that Palmer needs to remain grounded given he has only played at the highest level for a relatively short period.
He urged the midfielder to appreciate his current status at Chelsea rather than rushing toward a “best club in the world” label that could lead to a secondary role.
“Cole Palmer has had a two-year career… slow down, you play for Chelsea Football Club and you can get something out of it,” Leboeuf stated, advising the player to prioritize long-term growth over immediate fame.