Cole Palmer has flourished since departing his hometown club Manchester City to join Premier League competitors Chelsea in pursuit of consistent opportunities to play in the starting lineup.
Palmer transferred to another team, under a contract valued at a maximum of £42.5 million, during the summer following a season in which he won three championships with the Citizens. Pep Guardiola reluctantly acquiesced to the departure of the gifted prodigy, recognizing his desire to pursue greater professional opportunities.
Prior to Palmer’s upcoming return to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, let us examine the remarkable statistics he has achieved since departing from City.
Chelsea versus Manchester City: The statistical data
Palmer ascended through the ranks at City and made his debut with the first-team squad during the 2021-22 season. Throughout a span of three seasons, he participated in a total of 41 matches, achieving a goal tally of six and contributing two assists across various tournaments.
During his tenure at City, he accumulated a total of 1,482 minutes on the field. However, in less than six months and only 28 games, he has already exceeded that with an impressive 2,178 minutes playing for Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has increased his goal production, scoring 12 goals and contributing nine assists for the Blues. One of his goals was scored against his former team in December, during a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. He scored a late penalty to achieve this goal.
Due to receiving increased playing opportunities at Chelsea, Palmer has progressed into a consistent member of the first-team, as opposed to being a possible substitute player for City.
Is it possible for him to achieve championship titles with Chelsea?
Chelsea’s performance over the past 18 months has fallen below their expected standards. In 2021, the Blues achieved the title of European champions. However, in the previous season, they did not win any trophies and ended up in 12th place in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, despite their ongoing lackluster performance in the league this season, Chelsea has managed to advance in both domestic cup competitions and will be competing against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final later this month. The performances of Palmer have been the main factor contributing to the success of the Chelsea team this season.
Mauricio Pochettino has further options in Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku, and Conor Gallagher, but he has not yet discovered a reliable and successful combination.
In addition to achieving the treble, Palmer also scored the goal that leveled the score, leading City to win their first-ever Super Cup through a penalty shootout against Sevilla in August of last year. Palmer has the opportunity to increase his collection of trophies at Chelsea.
England national team selection and potential participation in Euro 2024
Palmer was selected to join the England national team for the first time in November, after his outstanding displays for Chelsea.
He participated in the Euro 2024 qualifiers for the Three Lions, playing as a substitute in matches against Malta and North Macedonia. Prior to Euro 2024, England will participate in four friendly international matches, with two taking place in March and two in June.
Palmer has stiff competition for a spot from talented individuals such as Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, James Maddison, and Jarrod Bowen. Several of them are in excellent condition and have been prominent figures in the Premier League for a significantly longer period than Palmer.
Nevertheless, his recent displays undeniably increase his likelihood of being selected for additional international appearances prior to Gareth Southgate finalizing his team for the competition in Germany.
