Former defender and now commentator Jamie Carragher has stirred some controversy following his recent column in The Telegraph, where he drew a nuanced comparison between his ex-teammate Steven Gerrard and Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer.
Carragher’s made-for-consumption personality meant that his post-retirement transition was seamless, while it has also allowed the 47-year-old the chance to speak freely about all aspects of the beautiful game – and he often upsets the apple cart.
Referencing a specific moment from Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in February when Palmer cut a frustrated figure on the pitch, Carragher insisted that his demeanour would’ve stressed the powers that be at Stamford Bridge.“There was a moment during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in February which must have set off alarm bells in the Stamford Bridge boardroom,” Carragher wrote for The Telegraph before adding: “Palmer’s demeanour was one of frustration.”Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kevin De BruyneRelated10 Best Free-Kick Takers in the Premier League Right Now [Ranked]What has irked fans is that Carragher – widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history – made a subtle comparison between Gerrard and Palmer and how they were/are a level above the rest in their respective sides.“It reminded me of Steven Gerrard during the more difficult periods at Liverpool, where he was looking around the pitch and realising team-mates were not at the required level.”Carragher then insisted that an Anfield departure was thought about: “Gerrard started to ask himself if he was at the right club, prompting Chelsea to try to sign him in three successive summers between 2003-2005. On two occasions they were very close to doing the deal.”
This is not the first time that the Melwood academy graduate has stirred the pot regarding Palmer, who is regarded as one of the best penalty takers in world football, as – in December 2024 – he insisted that the 22-year-old was the best player in England’s top flight.”“You fear when he’s on the ball [as an opposition player],” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “I loved him last season, and he’s started this season really well. If you look at his almost 18 months at Chelsea, I don’t think there’s been a player in the Premier League that’s performed better than him over these 18 months.”
Fans – and those associated with the Merseysiders, in particular – are less-than-impressed with Carragher’s comments. One wrote: “I hope Gerrard never speaks to you again after typing that. He’s not even 5% of the player Gerrard was.”Perhaps confused that Carragher was not comparing them both as players, another waxed poetic about Gerrard and his innate ability to be Liverpool’s driving force in the middle. Elsewhere, he suggested that Palmer has a knack for going missing in the big games.“He’s nothing like Gerrard. The frustration bit yes. But as a player? Not a chance. Gerrard lifted those around him, by crunching into tackles, raising the tempo. Palmer, a nice elegant player when things are going well. Disappears when playing the best sides.”