"Absolutely brilliant" - Pundit praises Cole Palmer for his reaction to altercation between players in Chelsea-Forest draw
Former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle shared his thoughts on Cole Palmer's reaction during an incident against Nottingham Forest on October 6. The Blues drew 1-1 against Nuno Espirito's side at home in the Premier League.
Palmer has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, already netting six goals and providing five assists in just seven games. He was once again at the heart of the action in the Blues’ recent game against Nottingham Forest. However, it was another particular moment that caught the attention of former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle.
After their impressive 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, where Palmer scored four goals, Chelsea were held to a draw at home by Nottingham Forest. Despite creating several chances, with the Englishman alone crafting six opportunities, the team had to settle for a point against a resolute Forest defense.
The game also saw several stoppages, including the sending-off of James Ward-Prowse in the 78th minute. Tensions further boiled over towards the end when Neco Williams tripped Marc Cucurella near the touchline, sparking a scuffle between both sets of players. Cucurella, Williams, and Levi Colwill were all booked, leading to 14 minutes of added time due to the stoppages.
In the midst of the chaos, Cole Palmer was one of the players who remained unfazed. While many of his teammates were caught up in the altercation, he calmly stepped aside and took a seat on the pitch, choosing to stay out of the fray.
Glenn Hoddle, acting as a pundit for Premier League Productions, later remarked that Palmer’s composed reaction was emblematic of his style of play.
"Yeah, he is (such a cool customer). It’s the way he plays. I love that. I saw that afterwards, I didn’t see it at the time, but it’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Just chilled," Hoddle said (via TBR Football) .
Palmer may have chosen to avoid the incident since he had already been booked earlier in the game. Nevertheless, it was yet another impressive performance from the England international, who continues to show remarkable form this season.
Liverpool legend suggests Real Madrid could make a move for Chelsea's Cole Palmer
Palmer arrived from Manchester City last summer but has already scored 31 goals and provided 20 assists for Chelsea in just 54 appearances. Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes that Real Madrid may come calling for Palmer’s signature given the quality and consistency he has displayed.
"Chelsea paid £40m for Palmer but if Real Madrid come knocking next summer and he is still at the level he is showing, I would not be surprised if they got an offer of £150m for him. He’s a young man, so we’re going early on this call, but if this is Palmer’s level and he can be consistently this good, he’s going to be a top man. He has got silky skills, athleticism and a fabulous football brain," he said (via Football.London).
Chelsea have certainly made a strong start to the season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League table. However, the fixtures are set to become more challenging in the coming weeks, including a trip to Liverpool right after the international break. The Chelsea faithful will certainly be hoping Palmer can maintain his excellent form.