Determined to keep his Chippy Chips safe from the Seagulls, Cole Palmer netted four times against Brighton at the end of September in just another extraordinary display for Chelsea since joining for £40million from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.
Indeed, having scored fewer Premier League goals than Tim Howard and Kean Bryan upon signing for the West London giants, Palmer’s rise has been meteoric. The 22-year-old racked up a stunning 33 Premier League goal contributions last season and has started 24/25 in similarly fine form. With that in mind, a look back at Cole Palmer’s career so far reveals how different things could have been.
Palmer’s almost-unintentionally funny demeanour has seen him gain internet fame, which combined with a brief but magnificent Euro 2024 campaign and cheap FPL price, has made the Chelsea man popular across the 92 and beyond.
Although having admitted to being a boyhood Manchester United fan, Cole Palmer had been with Manchester City all the way from under-eight level. Having fought against potentially being released at age 16, Palmer’s breakout season came in 19/20. The youngster netted 24 times in 26 games and was soon playing with the under-23s. Another fine season in 20/21 saw the winger reach City’s senior team, however, subsequent seasons saw him struggle to cement his spot in Pep Guardiola’s side. Palmer was mainly utilised in cup fixtures, off the bench, or against weaker European opposition and 23/24 saw him seeking a move elsewhere.
Palmer was mainly utilised in cup fixtures, off the bench, or against weaker European opposition
Early on in the summer window of 2023, the transfer rumours circling around Palmer seemed fairly average for a player of his talent. Promoted sides Burnley and Sheffield United were both reported to have made Manchester City aware of their interest, which as an aside could have made my experience watching the blades last season slightly less miserable. However, following an excellent U23 Euros Tournament and a goal in the 23/24 Community Shield match, interest in the City man peaked. Former West Ham manager David Moyes revealed that Cole was "close" to joining the Irons, but Palmer chose a fateful move to Stamford Bridge instead.
Following an excellent U23 Euros Tournament and a goal in the 23/24 Community Shield match, interest in the City man peaked.
With his transfer fee having pushed Chelsea’s spending under new owner Todd Boehly to over £1billion, the signing at first seemed to be a gamble. Unlike many of Chelsea’s transfer gambles, Palmer actually paid off. Goals against Burnley and Spurs showed his class, but ‘Cold Palmer’ was truly born in November 2023 as he calmly slotted home a stoppage-time penalty against former club Manchester City. In the words of Peter Drury: “City’s boy” became “Chelsea’s man”, and Chelsea's man did not stop there. An extra-time, game-winning hat-trick against boyhood side Manchester United. Chippy chipping (sorry, last one) Jordan Pickford to score a 29-minute perfect hat-trick against Everton. The PFA Young Player of the Season. Welcome to Europe's elite, Cole Palmer.
