Cole Palmer‘s £40 million summer transfer to Chelsea certainly turned heads. A clear talent but still relatively unproven at 21, he had mostly been a substitute at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
However, Chelsea was confident enough to offer Palmer a seven-year contract, once again investing in youth.
Now, that initial investment seems to be paying off, as the England Under-21 international has hit form in recent weeks. As Chelsea prepares to face Brentford, let’s take a closer look at Palmer’s start to life in West London.
Patience was always expected following Palmer’s arrival at Stamford Bridge. He made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, followed by two more substitute appearances in a goalless draw at Bournemouth and a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa.
But Palmer has impressed recently after getting a chance in Chelsea’s starting lineup. He provided an assist in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Brighton and had an encouraging first Premier League start in a 2-0 victory against Fulham. He has since scored in his last two league appearances, converting penalties against Burnley and Arsenal.
With confidence on the rise, the youngster is starting to look like a wise acquisition for Chelsea.
Palmer’s positional intelligence has already proven valuable for Chelsea. Against Arsenal, he was used as a false nine, allowing him to drift into areas on the right-hand side and disrupt the opponent’s defensive shape. Given Chelsea’s limited striking options, using Palmer in such a role could be effective in the future. His ability to pick out teammates making forward runs should enhance Chelsea’s attacking threat.
Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, praised Palmer’s ability to read situations and adapt to the team’s needs, highlighting his youth, talent, and quality.
Palmer’s outstanding form is reflected in the statistics. Among Chelsea players, he has attempted the most shots per 90 minutes (3.32), created the most significant scoring opportunities per 90 (0.83), and won possession in the final third more frequently (2.22 per 90).
This shows why Pochettino has swiftly made Palmer a crucial part of his system. His goal-scoring ability, creativity, positional understanding, and pressing from the front make him an ideal fit for a high-intensity side.
There is still ample room for Palmer to grow as he becomes more comfortable with his new teammates and the different environment at Chelsea. The club’s approach in the summer transfer window indicates a willingness to invest in the long term, and with Palmer, they have a player who could become a superstar in his peak years.