Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane is standing firmly by midfielder Cole Palmer, insisting the 24-year-old remains a "top player" despite a challenging season. With the FA Cup final against his former club Manchester City looming, McFarlane is confident Palmer can rediscover his best form on the biggest stage.

Palmer's campaign has been a mixed bag—nine Premier League goals and just a single assist tell only part of the story. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his rhythm, and as Chelsea have slipped to a seven-game winless run, the spotlight on his performances has only intensified. The Blues now find themselves out of Champions League contention, making Saturday's Wembley showdown a crucial chance to salvage silverware from a turbulent season.

"I think he's had some really good games for us this year," McFarlane told reporters. "He's had a lot of injuries that he's had to deal with. I was really pleased with Cole on Saturday—I thought he had moments where he showed his level and his quality."

For Chelsea fans, the FA Cup final offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise frustrating campaign. And for Palmer, facing his old teammates at City could be the perfect stage to silence the critics. "He's a top player, and he's proved that many times," McFarlane added. "Really hopeful that Cole can produce that from now to the end of the season."

As the Blues prepare for one of the biggest matches of their year, all eyes will be on Palmer to see if he can rise to the occasion—and prove that the best is yet to come.