Cole Palmer has quickly established himself as a pivotal figure for Chelsea, carving his name into the club’s storied history in record time.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder dazzled with a goal, an assist, and a man-of-the-match performance in Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Palmer, who joined the Blues from Manchester City for £40 million in the summer of 2023, has been nothing short of sensational.
With 33 goals and 21 assists in just 60 appearances, he is proving to be one of the Premier League’s most potent attacking forces. His remarkable debut season, which saw him score 22 goals, placed him second only to Erling Haaland in the league’s scoring charts.
Palmer’s latest goal marked his 30th Premier League strike for Chelsea in just 46 matches. This achievement puts him second only to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who hit the 30-goal mark in 41 games, making Palmer’s ascent one of the fastest in Chelsea history.
Notably, Palmer reached this milestone quicker than Chelsea legends Diego Costa and Didier Drogba, both of whom were instrumental in title-winning campaigns.
As 2024 winds down, Palmer has registered 34 goals and assists in the calendar year, placing him on the brink of breaking Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s club record of 36 set in 2001.
With six league games remaining this year, he’s in prime position to surpass this milestone.
Palmer’s performances have drawn comparisons to elite strikers, yet his role as an attacking midfielder highlights his versatility.
Enzo Maresca, speaking on the duo of Palmer and Joao Felix, praised their creativity, stating, “Cole and Joao see things that the rest cannot—players like them are why fans buy tickets.”
Since his Chelsea debut in September 2023, Palmer has scored against nearly every Premier League opponent he’s faced, excluding Liverpool and Leicester.
His contributions have made him Chelsea’s most prolific player over the past year, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the team’s future.
As Cole Palmer continues his red-hot form, fans and pundits alike are eager to see if he can cap off his meteoric rise with more records and silverware for Chelsea.
