“He’s streets ahead of Bellingham”, “Worth £100m more than Chelsea paid” - Pundit makes emphatic claim on Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has certainly carried his form from last season into the current one, already making 10 goal contributions in the Premier League. After his stunning performance against Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored four goals, pundit Richard Keys claimed that Palmer is now a better player than Jude Bellingham.
Last season, Palmer was the lone bright spot for Chelsea during a lackluster campaign under Mauricio Pochettino. He netted 25 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 games, while also winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
There were questions about how Enzo Maresca would utilize him this season, but the Italian manager - who previously coached Palmer at Manchester City’s youth team - has given him the freedom to excel in the number 10 role. He has already scored six goals and assisted four in just eight Premier League matches.
Palmer’s latest hat-trick, his fourth in Chelsea colors, saw him become the first player ever to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League game. Pundit Richard Keys argued that he is now outperforming Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who has struggled to replicate his form this season.
“Cole Palmer. Wow. What a player. He’s streets ahead of Bellingham. I can’t think of better money ever being spent. What a rick [Pep] Guardiola dropped letting him go. He’s already worth £100m more than Chelsea paid and he’s only going to get better. I love watching him," Keys wrote on his blog, richardjkeys.com. (via The Chelsea Chronicle)
While Bellingham hasn’t captured the same headlines as he did last season, he is gradually returning to full fitness after missing a few games early in the campaign due to injury. So far, he has provided two assists but has struggled in front of goal.
With Kylian Mbappe’s arrival, Bellingham also appears to be playing a slightly different role under Carlo Ancelotti, one that sees him positioned deeper.
As a result, his stats have taken a hit, but he has already proven his value last season with 36 goal contributions in a campaign where Los Blancos won both La Liga and the Champions League.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hails Cole Palmer as a ‘special player’
Enzo Maresca will undoubtedly be pleased with how Chelsea’s attack has taken shape. With Palmer playing in midfield, the trio of Jadon Sancho, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke upfront have all contributed goals, while there is also an abundance of quality on the bench.
Maresca singled out Palmer after his remarkable performance against Brighton, where he not only scored four goals but also created four chances for his team. Speaking about why the 22-year-old has carried his fine form from last season into this one, he said:
"He is a top player. Today in football, young players change very quickly. Cole scored many goals, many assists, he’s a top player but he never changes, and that is the most important thing. Already in his life, many good things happened as a professional to give him the chance to change, but he didn’t change. He is a special player, a super guy, a humble guy. He doesn’t need to tell people how good he is.” (via GOAL)
Chelsea will next face Gent in the Conference League on Thursday, October 3, before returning to Premier League action with a clash against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, October 6.