Chelsea completed a ยฃ45million deal to sign Cole Palmer from Manchester City on deadline day in the summer transfer window, a move that is receiving plenty of praise already
Chelsea star Cole Palmer has received plenty of plaudits for his performances in recent weeks after Mauricio Pochettino moved him into a false-nine role. The England Under-21s international has impressed since arriving from Manchester City on deadline day and scored yet again in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal last weekend.
The Blues are now unbeaten in their last four fixtures across all competitions and this has been helped by Palmer’s transition into a more central role. “I have to say, Palmer has been wonderful,” said Gary Neville following the draw against the Gunners.
“He’s dropping deeper now and dictating the game. In moments like these, at Chelsea you want composure and Cole Palmer’s upbringing at City will give him that – he just looks so graceful out there on the ball.”
Neville’s former Manchester United teammate, Rio Ferdinand, feels the same about Palmer after praising the youngster for his recent displays. “His swag, the way he bowls about that pitch for a young kidโฆ He’s the truth,” Ferdinand told FIVEโs YouTube channel.
Palmer’s performances have made him somewhat of an undroppable for Pochettino moving forward. Speaking earlier this season before his move to Stamford Bridge, Ferdinand hailed Palmer for his confidence at such a young age.
“[He is a] mad talent. Do you know what I like about him? He’s got the mad confidence,” Ferdinand said.
“He comes out for the warm-up before a game and he knows Joleon [Lescott] really well from being his coach at the Under-21s. But he walks out for the warm-up and my man’s got his shorts halfway down his bum, and he’s just cracking jokes on the side with Joleon.
“He’ll hit a shot and look at Joleon, and say [gestures showing a smug pose], like if you bang it top corner or something like that,” the United icon added. Palmer’s confidence is something Chelsea can hope to benefit from and it was shown once again as he took responsibility for converting a penalty against Arsenal despite Raheem Sterling wanting to take the spot kick.
The Blues need confidence in attack if they are to flourish under Pochettino with Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja struggling to score consistently so far this season. However, with Christopher Nkunku stepping up his recovery from injury – Palmer’s position as a false-nine may be short-lived.
