Chelsea fans can hardly believe that the Cole Palmer they see on the pitch these days is the same dazzling player from earlier in the season. He hasn’t scored for Chelsea since January, and today against Everton, not only was he ineffective, but his goalless streak extended to 17 consecutive matches.

Despite Chelsea players repeatedly passing the ball to Palmer, he failed to make an impact. Chelsea struggled in the second half against Everton, and fans believe Palmer’s shocking decline is the reason for the team’s poor form in recent months.

Palmer’s unbelievable decline has led to strong reactions from fans. One Chelsea fan wrote: “Cole Palmer is just another Jack Grealish. He’s now an average robot. A few months ago, we said Pep Guardiola must regret letting him go, but now we realize Pep must have known something.”

Another user wrote: “Cole Palmer seems cursed. Sometimes I doubt myself and think I must be dreaming.” Some Chelsea fans have lost hope in Palmer’s revival: “I don’t know what to say to Palmer. I think Chelsea should sell him this summer.”

Another fan commented: “Palmer’s decline is terrifying. A very slow player with weak touches. Someone who can’t even receive a pass properly. What happened to him? Can a player decline this much so suddenly?”

Almost all reactions on social media express astonishment at the extent of Palmer’s decline. No one can believe that a player once tipped to be a Ballon d’Or contender in the next couple of years has turned into an average—or even weak—footballer.