Jody Morris delivers honest verdict on Chelsea’s key players

In an exclusive interview with AceOdds.com, former Chelsea player Jody Morris has given his view on the performances of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Reece James.

Drawing on his experience as both a player and a coach, Morris spoke candidly about Palmer’s hit-or-miss form, Caicedo’s influence, discipline issues, as well as James’ versatility.

Palmer’s form impacted by injuries and structure

Cole Palmer has not quite reached the extraordinary heights of last season, but Morris believes injuries and tactical changes have played a significant role in preventing him from doing so.

“You have to look at the injuries he’s had. He had a fantastic Club World Cup which we shouldn’t forget. I’ve seen him grafting in the gym, putting in the hard work. He was there doing extra work and when I asked him how he’s doing, he said he’s trying to find his form.”

“He knows what he’s capable of and he doesn’t shy away from that. But when you get an injury that puts you out for a certain amount of time and you’re trying to come back, I think there were games where he was doing all right and finding a rhythm, and then he would get taken off.”

Morris went on to praise Palmer’s mentality and personality, explaining why he is so popular both inside and outside the club.

“I love that about him. People say he’s laid back and he’s chilled, which is one of the reasons we all love him. He just seems like a normal lad and he’s honest in his interviews.”

The former Chelsea midfielder also pointed to a tactical contrast between managers as another factor that has stymied Palmer this season.

“We all know that these talented, technically gifted flair players can win you a game in one minute. He was being cut short when trying to find his rhythm. I also feel as though Chelsea were very structured under Maresca, whereas under Pochettino he could go anywhere to get on the ball and make something happen.”

“The combinations of play we were trying to put together became a little bit predictable and if it’s predictable to me, then it’ll be predictable to the opposition. Being predictable in the build-up or when trying to get your main players on the ball doesn’t help players like Palmer. You have to mix things up and let him play with freedom.”

While Palmer has enjoyed more freedom in bigger matches, Morris states that Chelsea have struggled to adapt their approach against lesser opposition.

“In the bigger games, you would see him get a lot more freedom, because teams feel they can get at Chelsea. It’s up to the manager and the players to say when they’re not facing a bigger team, what are we doing now? It was a bit slow getting our main players on the ball.”

That being said, the ex-Blue insists Palmer’s season has been far from a disaster.

“Cole hasn’t been having a nightmare either. It’s just when you hit such levels, you have high expectations placed upon you, and Chelsea have a potential world-class footballer.”

“I’m sure one of the things Liam Rosenior will be tasked with is getting the best out of your best players, and Palmer falls into that category.”

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Why Caicedo shouldn’t be compared to Declan Rice

Moises Caicedo has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, and thus, comparisons to Declan Rice have been inevitable. Morris, however, thinks that it’s not a straightforward comparison as they have different playing styles.

“What he's done for Chelsea over the last two years means he’s the best defensive midfielder in the world. Now, there are different types of those. You can talk about a Vitinha, for example, or a Rodri.”

“I personally wouldn’t compare him to Declan Rice, who is more of a box-to-box midfielder, and he’s looking great at doing that. Dec has been sensational since he’s been at Arsenal.”

“Apart from a slow start, I think Caicedo has been Chelsea's best player and he’s been one of the better performers this season. It’s a funny one with him because the type of player he is, you don’t want to put the handbrake up when he’s flying in and going into tackles. That’s what makes him who he is.”

“I think he’s a better player than people think he is, and he’s starting to show that now he’s being given more responsibility with the ball. They play through him a lot more and there have been times where he’s played with Reece James in midfield and you see him being the one further forward.”

While discipline has been an issue for Chelsea this season, Morris doesn’t see Caicedo as part of the problem.

“When it comes to discipline, that’s a Chelsea issue overall. Don’t get me wrong, that’s been a major problem this year and it’s cost us a lot. But he’s not one of the issues in my opinion.”

“There’s been a lot of stupid fouls, two yellow cards, dissent and kicking balls away. Goalkeepers getting sent off. They are the ones that cost us, but I wouldn’t put the handbrake up with him. The way he plays is what makes him world class.”

“He wins the ball back where other players have no opportunity of doing so. He has a knack of getting his leg around players and timing his tackles. Is he late sometimes? Yes, but I wouldn’t change the way he plays.”

Reece James’ versatility can work against him

While Reece James’ quality has never been in question, his bad luck with fitness has limited his game time and influence in previous seasons. This year, he’s been injury-free and has been a key man for Chelsea both as a right-back and as a defensive midfielder.

“Everything you said there is what I've known about Reece. He played in those positions for me in the youth team. I used to joke with him, and he used to laugh, but I was deadly serious, saying, ‘If I stuck you as a No.9 on a Saturday, you'd be alright.’”

“He would start laughing and I'd say that you would, because he is first and foremost a footballer. I know we're all footballers, or pretend to be, the ones who've been on a pitch, but he is a footballer who can play anywhere. He's just a gifted player.”

However, the 1999-2000 FA Cup winner believes that versatility can sometimes count against him in debates about the best right-backs in the Premier League.

“It can sometimes go against him how good he is in multiple different roles. I got asked about Team of the Year the other day and I put Timber at right-back. Timber's not a better right-back than Reece James, but he's playing there all the time.”

“For me, if Reece plays right-back the majority of the time, he’ll be the best right-back in the world along with Hakimi.”

While he understands why managers move James around, Morris questioned some of those decisions.

“I get it when you have a player of that level who can fill in different positions when you need him, but I felt there were times when he played in midfield when he was better suited to being the best right-back in the league.”

Above all else, Morris is relieved to see James finally enjoying a sustained spell of fitness.

“None of this surprises me with Reece. I'm just really pleased that his injuries have stayed away for over a year now. He's looking fitter than ever, and long may it continue because it'll help us with England having a chance in the summer.”

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