The West London club have decided to boost their squad this summer transfer window. Cole Palmer is the Blues new N0.10 to balance the team’s attack in all competitions this season.
Having lost Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku to injuries. Chelsea have chosen to secure a new attacking midfielder so as to go far in the Premier League this campaign.
Apparently, the Blues were linked with many offensive players. They have the likes of Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Folarin Balogun, and the rest on their radar.
However, they have now decided to sign the 21-year-old Englishman. And he’s indeed a proven player in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Manchester City over Cole Palmer. Of course, it’s such a massive move from Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The English youngster will join the West London club for a fee of £45 million. And he’s most likely to undergo his medical on Thursday at Stamford Bridge.
Reportedly, Joe Shields played a massive role in bringing Palmer to Chelsea. Of course, he has already worked at Manchester City, continuing to sign brilliant talents at the club.
Cole didn’t think twice before accepting to join the West London club. Obviously, he would love to have enough playing time under Mauricio Pochettino.
In the absence of Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku. Palmer will be a regular starter for Chelsea, particularly in the Premier League.
The Blues were recently linked with Smith Rowe of Arsenal. However, it seems the West London club prioritized the 21-year-old midfielder over the Gunners youngster.
Surprisingly, Chelsea completed the signing of Palmer within six hours. Which means they have been keeping tabs on him and monitoring his situation at Manchester City this summer.
Joe Shields is actually doing a marvelous job for the West London club. Because both Roméo Lavia and Cole were from Manchester City’s academy, growing under Pep Guardiola.
According to reports, the 21-year-old Englishman will play a vital role for Chelsea. He would play as an attacking midfielder (No.10) and on the right wing.
Of course, Chelsea already have Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke making waves in that position. However, Palmer has the ability to compete with them on the team.
Unbelievably, after the Blues 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in their Carabao Cup game. Cole reacted to Madueke’s goal in the first-half, showing he’s already a Chelsea player.
According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, the 21-year-old midfielder will be joining the first-team. As a result, he’s most likely to make his debut for the Blues after the international break.
Cole Palmer’s stats for Manchester City (2022-2023, Premier League)Â
14 appearances (2 starts)
0 goals
1 assist
0.8 shots per 90
0.3 shots on target per 90
0.4 key passes per 90
89% pass accuracy
0.07 interceptions per 90
0.4 tackles per 90
67% dribble success
58% ground duels won
25% aerial duels won
55% total duels won
Cole Palmer’s stats for Manchester City’s U-18s & U-23s
60 games
41 goals
18 assists
59 goal contributions
Obviously, the 21-year-old Englishman is a ridiculous talent. He’s not getting enough playing time under Pep Guardiola because of Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
At the age of 19, Palmer registered a hat-trick for the Citizens U-23s against Leicester City. He has the ability to succeed at Chelsea, regardless of his age.
Profile-wise, Cole is similar to Foden and Silva. Therefore, it’s understandable why he’s not getting enough playing time at Manchester City under the Spanish gaffer.
Who is Cole Palmer?Â
He’s actually a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Manchester City. The English youngster was born and raised in Manchester, England.
Amazingly, Manchester United made an offer to sign him. However, he chose the Citizens, having been born and raised in Manchester.
Palmer started his football career at Manchester City’s academy. He dazzled impressively for the Citizens U-18s and U-23s in all competitions, particularly in the Premier League 2.
Along with Roméo Lavia. Cole grew up under Pep Guardiola. And he usually plays as a central midfielder, showing off his passing and attacking skills.
Profile-wise, the 21-year-old Englishman has many things in common with Raheem Sterling. He loves to cut inside and maneuver from the right-wing.
At the same time, he does cut and attack like Pedro, Robben, and Ribery. In all fairness, Palmer is definitely going to be a dangerous weapon for Mauricio Pochettino.
Cole Palmer strengths and weaknesses
The English youngster ticks all the boxes as an attacking midfielder. As a result, he is capable of bolstering the team’s attack with his attacking prowess around the opposition’s box.
Creativity is one of Palmer’s biggest strengths. His playmaking skills are second to none at his age. He has the ability to make unbelievable passes, creating chances.
The 21-year-old Englishman usually uses his creativity to unlock the opponent’s defensive line. As a result, he’s definitely going to fit into Mauricio Pochettino’s style.
Another strength to consider is versatility. Cole is a very versatile player; he has the ability to play every available position in the frontline.
The English youngster can play as a left winger, right winger, attacking midfielder, and central midfielder. Frankly, he’s definitely a massive addition to the Blues squad.
As regards his versatility, Palmer can replace Sterling, Mudryk, Madueke, and Nkunku. His ability to play multiple roles on the frontline taking the team’s attack to the next level.
Also, Palmer has passing as his biggest skill. He is capable of making a series of short, long, and diagonal passes.
Despite starting just two games in the Premier League for Manchester City last season. He had 89% pass accuracy, showing off his passing prowess in the midfield.
At the same time, Cole usually uses his vision to render the opponent’s players useless on the pitch. His passing skills work along with his creativity to create spaces.
The player’s ball-controlling ability is way beyond his age (21-year-old). He doesn’t lose ball possession easily, always having many touches in the midfield.
Just like Raheem Sterling, Cole’s off-the-ball movement is amazing. At least he can learn and improve himself at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino.
Most of all, Cole Palmer is an extraordinary dribbler. He had 67% dribble success in the Premier League last campaign, despite starting just two games for the Citizens.
His dribbling prowess is very impressive. The player is good in 1v1 situations, and he usually dictates the team’s tempo in final third entries. Of course, he will shine at Chelsea.
Having been a left-footer, Palmer knows how to make use of his dribbling skills. He’s very comfortable at taking on opponent’s players in 1v1 situations.
Weaknesses
Without being sentimental, Palmer doesn’t have any significant weaknesses. However, he does have some limitations based on his all-around statistics.
At the age of 19, Cole is already a complete attacking midfielder. He registered 59 goal contributions in 60 appearances for the Manchester City youth squad.
Nevertheless, the 21-year-old Englishman has his own shortcomings. Palmer is poor at aerial dueling, and that’s one of his weaknesses.
He’s very balanced and composed at winning ground duels. However, he finds it difficult to contest for the ball in the air, which makes him poor aerially.
Cole Palmer’s style of play
The Citizens Academy product is an advanced playmaker. Also, he usually plays as a wide playmaker, dictating the team’s attack and destroying the opponent’s players.
Palmer likes to dribble so as to be able to create chances and spaces for his teammates. He always puts his attacking skills into action on the pitch.
Because he’s a left-footer, Cole loves to cut in into the opponent’s box. Of course, the player is comfortable with taking down 1/2 opponent’s players with his dribbling prowess.
Since he’s an advanced playmaker. The 21-year-old Englishman loves to attack centrally. His creativity allows him to lay key passes as an attacking midfielder.
Mauricio Pochettino sees Cole Palmer as a No.10. And that’s the position he has been playing for years, particularly under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Just like Lionel Messi, he loves to attack from the midfield. The English youngster likes to have enough space around him on the pitch, which explains his love for the central position.
In addition, Palme likes to track defensively. At least he made some brilliant tackles and interceptions for Manchester City in the Premier League last campaign.
Cole is above-average defensively. As a result, he usually tracks back to balance the team’s defensive performance. Which will definitely help him settle down at Stamford Bridge.
Profile-wise, the player can literally play any position up front. Nevertheless, he prefers playing centrally, attacking the opponent’s box from the midfield.