Eyebrows were raised when the Blues splurged on the attacker on transfer deadline day, but he has swiftly emerged as their most important player
Chelsea's deadline-day capture of Manchester City's Cole Palmer was perplexing, not least because the £42.5 million ($52m) fee pushed their spend under co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali past the £1 billion ($1.2bn) mark. In what was viewed as a costly, knee-jerk reaction to Christopher Nkunku's untimely pre-season injury, the Blues had shelled out on another youngster who, despite boasting a portfolio of impressive cameos, was unproven in the Premier League and had made just 41 appearances for City overall.
However, Palmer's faultless start to life at Stamford Bridge has flipped that narrative on its head; a string of imperious, influential performances has seen questions over his price tag become muted. Having been sensibly eased into the team by Mauricio Pochettino, the 21-year-old has emerged as one of Chelsea's most important players.
That was certainly the case on Sunday, when Palmer proved a point against his old side, impressing throughout the Blues' Premier League clash with City and eventually earning his new team a point from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time.
Getty ImagesCreative force
Nkunku's injury in early August saw Chelsea shorn of their would-be creator-in-chief before a ball had even been kicked this season, and they evidently set about searching for a replacement behind the scenes. Although Nkunku hadn't played a competitive game for the Blues, it was seen as an impossible task to mitigate for the goals and assists he would have provided, given his return of 126 contributions in 172 appearances for RB Leipzig.
Palmer, though, has been unfazed, going about his work with the kind of quality and determination that belies his tender age. Always looking to probe and create, he was averaging more progressive passes than any other player in the Premier League at the start of November, and continues to lead the division in passes into the penalty area.
His versatility is outstanding, too, with his effectiveness so far undiminished whether he is playing as an attacking midfielder, on the wing or as a false nine.
While it's evident that he is one of those players whose contributions aren't necessarily reflected in statistics, as he hangs back and looks to act as the catalyst, he does have four assists already, as well as four penalty goals.
AdvertisementGettyElite mentality
Palmer ended a 15-year association with Man City when he joined Chelsea on deadline day, but taking that significant leap of faith in his own ability was clearly something that didn't faze him. He carries himself with supreme confidence and has settled in seamlessly, even having the nerve to insist on taking a penalty against Arsenal ahead of seasoned veteran Raheem Sterling.
Despite his age and the fact he was working with arguably the greatest coach of all time, Palmer was steadfast in his belief that he was ready to be a regular starter in the Premier League, rather than a bit-part player in Pep Guardiola's ever-rotating winning machine, and he backed himself; ironically he would have honed that strongmindedness at City.
Explaining his decision, the 21-year-old said: "I'm not saying I shied away from the competition because I've never done that. I'd been there [around the first team] for a few years and wanted more of an opportunity to play – in my position – and to have more of an impact.
"It was a huge decision. I don't know any different. I've never been on loan. I've never moved out of Manchester. The only time I've ever been outside of Manchester is on holiday or away games. Going [to Chelsea] does feel weird, but there is no time to waste. I've got to get to it."
GettySomething Chelsea have missed
Since becoming an integral part of the side, Palmer has reintroduced a certain to Chelsea that has arguably been missing since the days of Eden Hazard. In simple terms, his balletic ball carrying, trickery and confidence are a joy to behold, especially given Chelsea's tendency to lean towards direct, functional attacking players such as Sterling and Timo Werner in recent times. Kai Havertz is perhaps the exception, but he too became utilitarian as he was shoehorned into a team that he never truly fitted.
Consistency is another thing those costly signings have never been able to deliver, but Palmer is currently hitting the same high level game in, game out, and sometimes he doesn't even look like he's trying. He has already endeared himself to the Chelsea faithful with his sumptuous technical ability, and if he can maintain this standard he will make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.
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Getty ImagesChelsea's stand-out signing
The man who tipped Chelsea's spending in the Boehly-Clearlake Capital era past £1bn, Palmer's start has been so impressive that he is arguably already the ownership's best signing to date. Bar perhaps January acquisition Enzo Fernandez, few have been as impactful or demonstrated the consistency that Palmer has in just over two months at the club. Working with Pochettino, he has changed the way Chelsea attack, seemingly removing the shackles and making a tangible difference.
That is something his manager has recognised, saying recently: "He arrived on the last day of the transfer window but is playing like he’s been here 10 years, showing his character and personality. I cannot say, ‘I didn’t expect that’, but also if I say, ‘I expected it’, then I’m lying.
"You create expectation always when you sign a player but, of course, he’s doing well. You only feel the player when you have the player, and from day one when he started to train, you could see the talent."
One player who will be expected to be similarly influential from the first moment he pulls on the shirt is Nkunku, and the prospect of the Frenchman playing alongside Palmer is mouth-watering.