Forget Szoboszlai - Chelsea star Palmer is the best signing so far

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 25 Jan 2024 10:29 GMT
• 3 min read

We just have to wake up and realise: Cole Palmer is the best piece of business that was done over the summer.

It seems odd to say that Chelsea, known for their gung-ho approach to the market over the past season or two, has gone and secured the shrewdest deal, but it’s more than ever clear now.

Palmer joined the Blues from Manchester City for €47million over the summer. It was a surprise move, one of the best young talents from the reigning Premier League champions moving to a rival, but it’s paid off tenfold.

In 18 Premier League games, Palmer has scored nine goals and provided four assists. Only Ollie Watkins is the only English player to boast more goal contributions in the Premier League this season.

Cole Palmer is the best buy of the summer

For his efforts this season, Palmer’s valuation has seen a wild increase, too. FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value algorithm ranks the youngster at €32.6m - while when they bought him he was worth just €4.6m.

Palmer had to wait until this season to make his mark in English football's premier competition, but it’s come at the perfect time for Mauricio Pochettino.

Despite his young age, Palmer is infusing much-needed maturity into Chelsea's squad. He has been happy to play anywhere in midfield and attack while some of the goals he has scored speak of a world-class talent.

Chelsea rank second in possession per 90 minutes after Manchester City. This possession-based style allows Palmer to thrive. He is adept both at the execution of through balls and passes into the penalty area, as well as carries into the box.

Palmer's crucial contributions, such as scoring against Tottenham and securing a last-second penalty against Manchester City, underscore his impact on both ends of the pitch, at a period where the Blues are in dire need of direction.

There are, of course, other quality players who have come into fresh clubs and made waves. Guglielmo Vicario has been an inspired signing for Tottenham, as has Dominik Szoboszlai who arrived to Liverpool. But what we are seeing with Palmer is pure greatness, even in the midst of an unsettled club like Chelsea.