"You know he’s going to do something good" - Liverpool legend Steve Nichol hails in-form Chelsea star who 'relaxes' him
Liverpool legend Steve Nichol has explained why Chelsea hero Cole Palmer relaxes him amid an unbelievable start to life at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer bagged four goals in a 6-0 mauling of Everton on Monday (April 15). That took the English winger's tally for the season to 25 goals and 13 assists in 41 games across competitions.
The 21-year-old is the first west London Blues player since Eden Hazard in the 2018-19 season to score 20 goals or more league goals. He's the fifth-youngest player in Premier League history to score four or more goals in a single game.
It has been a groundbreaking start at Stamford Bridge and Palmer has been appropriately nicknamed 'Cold Palmer'. He's joint top of the Golden Boot race with his former Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland.
Nichol waxed lyrical about Palmer and explained why he never doubts the young forward when he's in possession. The Liverpool icon told ESPN:
"When certain players get the ball, you sit on the edge of your chair. This guy makes you relax. He does the opposite for me. Whenever he gets it, I relax because I know that he isn’t losing it. Maybe he’s going to score; maybe he’s going to nutmeg somebody, but you know he’s going to do something good, and you know it’s going to work. He relaxes you!"
Palmer's four goals against Everton came after he netted a hat-trick against the club he supports Manchester United. He bagged a 90+11th minute winner to secure a famous 4-3 home win (April 4).
The Englishman's form has been instrumental in Chelsea's recent upturn in form. They've put themselves back into contention for a European qualification finish, sitting ninth, three points behind seventh-placed United with a game in hand.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is reportedly on Liverpool's radar
Spanish outlet Nacional (via Football 365) reports that Palmer is being tracked by several Premier League and European heavyweights. One of the clubs that have prepared a proposal are Liverpool.
Palmer may be viewed as Mohamed Salah's long-term replacement with question marks over the Egyptian superstar's future. He has a year left on his contract but is continuously touted as a Saudi Pro League target.
Chelsea will be eager to keep hold of Palmer given he only arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer. He joined Mauricio Pochettino's side from City in a £42.5 million deal.
The Cityzens and Arsenal join title rivals Liverpool in monitoring Palmer. Pep Guardiola is said to view his former attacker as the ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva.