While we’re not quite there yet, things seem to be heading in that direction. His signing has already been somewhat of a success.. Continue Reading
Cole Palmer revealed that he was cautioned against joining Chelsea before his £45 million transfer from Manchester City, where he had been for over a decade, starting at the academy at age eight. Despite spending so long at City, he made just 41 first-team appearances before moving to Chelsea.
Unlike some of his new teammates, Palmer has had a fantastic start at Chelsea, netting 25 goals in his first season.
His impressive form earned him a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024, where he shone, even scoring in the final before Spain claimed the trophy.
Palmer’s incredible form hasn’t slowed. Last month, he became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match and has already racked up five assists this season.
Chelsea rewarded him with a new contract, potentially keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2033.
If he stays that long, Palmer could go down as one of the club’s greatest players. But things could have been different had he heeded the advice against joining Chelsea.
Reflecting on his decision to join Chelsea, Palmer told ITV Football: ‘How do I look back on leaving Man City?
‘Yeah, it was a gamble because I didn’t know what I was going into, I didn’t know the club I was going into.
‘I had people telling me, don’t go here, don’t go there. But I just decided what I wanted to do myself and did it.
‘To move clubs, it changed my life. In many different ways, leaving Manchester where I grew up, getting away from people I didn’t need to be around. And the football as well obviously.’
Despite his remarkable ascent for both club and country, Palmer’s recent recognition as England men’s player of the year came as a surprise.
Just last month, Manchester United and England icon Gary Neville admitted he was ‘completely stunned’ by Palmer’s impressive transformation at Stamford Bridge.
When asked if he rates Palmer as the best player in the Premier League, Neville told NBC Sports: ‘He’s not far off! I have to say that I was surprised last season.
‘I remember when Mohamed Salah scored those goals all those years ago and I thought, “He won’t repeat that in the second season, he won’t repeat that in the third season”, and Cole Palmer is just going and completely shocking me in terms of what he’s delivering.
‘I can’t believe the level that he’s getting to and to think that he wasn’t playing for England in the European Championship in the summer now just seems absolutely ridiculous.
‘And it seems even more ridiculous that Manchester City, who have been unbelievable in the transfer market, have let one of their own go.’
