Cole Palmer has been everything Joao Felix was not for Chelsea

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 4 Apr 2024 17:29 BST
• 4 min read

Cole Palmer has been a rare success story in Chelsea’s disappointing season and the England international’s signing proved to be a shrewd gamble by Todd Boehly.

Palmer has arguably been the signing of the season, having posted 13 Premier League goals and eight assists since his €47 million transfer on deadline day in a move which somewhat raised eyebrows at the time.

Boehly has endured staunch criticism over the underwhelming results of Chelsea’s signings so far, having spent more than €1 billion on players since his 2022 takeover, however the American deserves credit for Palmer’s acquisition if he is also to shoulder the blame for the failures.

READ MORE: Chelsea’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Chelsea were desperate to sign a forward before the summer window slammed shut and Palmer was not the club’s first choice, having seen an approach rejected by Arsenal for Emile Smith-Rowe, among other targets.

The Blues also opted against bringing back Joao Felix, who had failed to convince the club over his credentials during his forgettable loan spell last season – a decision which looks inspired given the Portuguese forward’s similar struggles at Barcelona this year.

While things have proven frustrating on the pitch for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season, Palmer’s signing has shown there is some method to the madness in Chelsea’s transfer business and will give some optimism to the club’s future under Boehly.

Palmer quickly showing what Chelsea missed with Felix transfer

Felix cost a staggering €11m to join on loan for the second half of last season but the 24-year-old scored just four times and has only grabbed six La Liga goals for Barca this year, with Chelsea reluctant to pay Atletico’s asking price of more than €70m to make the move permanent.

Palmer had scored twice in three appearances Manchester City this season before his move to Chelsea but the transfer was still seen as a risk, having yet to consistently prove his credentials for Pep Guardiola’s first team.

READ MORE: Signing of the season? Cole Palmer sale a big mistake by Man City

The 21-year-old was perhaps expected to be eased into action for Chelsea, having come off the bench in his first three appearances, but Palmer never looked back after assisting on his first start.

Of Chelsea’s signings under Boehly, Palmer has been unquestionably the biggest success story, although the emergence of Malo Gusto in the absence of Reece James has also represented good business.

Although there have been plenty of misses so far too, Palmer could be seen as the first signing to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge and an example of the talent identification which could see Chelsea’s other signings follow in his footsteps as time goes on.