Chelsea would be in a ‘RELEGATION battle’ if it wasn’t for one Blues star, claims Jamie Redknapp, after Mauricio Pochettino’s men drop more points against another side in the bottom three

Jamie Redknapp has claimed Chelsea would be in a “relegation battle” if it weren’t for a star player after Sheffield United twice drew the Blues.

Chelsea’s inconsistencies again cost them valuable points as the Blues failed to build on their previous stunning comeback against Manchester United earlier in the week.

Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke scored either side of half-time but Oli McBurnie’s injury-time equalizer was enough to salvage a share of the spoils for the hosts after Jayden Bogle’s first-half goal.

Cole Palmer scored his first professional hat-trick against United and impressed again against Sheffield despite not scoring.

Mauricio Pochettino was left furious after watching his team fall apart again away from home, with Redknapp criticizing Chelsea’s vulnerabilities.

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The former Liverpool star criticized the Blues for their performance this season and claims Palmer, 21, is the only player keeping the club away from the relegation zone.

“Chelsea would be in a relegation battle if it wasn’t for Cole Palmer,” Redknapp told Sky Sports after the game.

The former Manchester City star has been in excellent form since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer, scoring 19 goals in all competitions and also earning his first England call-up.

A point against Chris Wilder’s team allowed Chelsea to overtake Brighton and occupy ninth place in the Premier League standings with just 44 points to their name.

They have had contrasting form in the cup competitions after advancing to the upcoming FA Cup semi-finals against Man City, while they were previously beaten by Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

Pochettino is under pressure to prove he is capable of improving Chelsea and has hinted at further reinforcements in the summer transfer window in a bid to strengthen himself for next season.

‘I think it’s the normal process for this to happen. We need to work and try to solve this type of problem.

“We need to analyze the squad at the end of the season and see what we are missing and try to add people with the ability to improve next season.”