Is Cole Palmer the Face of the Premier League?
The Chelsea star has exceeded all expectations since exploding onto the scene last season.
For most involved with Chelsea Football Club, being told that you light up the eyes of Gianfranco Zola is probably one of the most touching compliments you could ever receive. For Cole Palmer, he probably doesn’t care.
And that shouldn’t be taken in the wrong way, nor am I some intellectual in a position to critique another’s persona or intelligence. It just looks to me, and to most people I speak to or read from on social media, that Cole Palmer’s capacity for genius has been disproportionately distributed to his football. We are not in danger of Chelsea’s newest superstar challenging our brains with a magnificently philosophical speech in an interview anytime soon.
We are, however, as a general public with a disdain for Chelsea, in danger of Cole Palmer making days of our football lives miserable for years to come. Unsurprisingly, as the Manchester United fan that I am, I’ve already been subjected to my fair share of Palmer-inflicted pain. I imagine he had an extra portion of chippy chips after dropping that hat trick on our heads (still in the Conference League though aren’t you, pal? I digress).
To be completely honest, I didn’t really see this coming. Did you?
For all the fanciful business done by Todd Boehly in his rollercoaster couple of years behind the wheel at the club, it’s hilarious that a cheeky little deal agreed right at the end of the 2023 summer window with Manchester City for a kid who at that time - to use a hockey term - had barely had a cup of coffee in the Premier League would turn into by far the most instrumental and fortune-changing signing of his tenure.
To label City’s boy as Chelsea’s man, as Peter Drury did so wonderfully, was to become an understatement. Compare his 3 Premier League starts and 1 assist as a Man City player to his 28 goals and 16 assists in just 40 games in the league since arriving in London. Mind-boggling production out of a 22-year-old, particularly since he’s accomplished it in what has been an often dysfunctional side. Statistics so impressive that it begs the question: is this the next face of football in England?
Or is that question already outdated, and are we already looking at the new face of the Premier League?
There’s hardly a shortage of candidates. Mohamed Salah. Bukayo Saka. Erling Haaland. I’m sure you’re shouting at me through your device for not mentioning the name that sprung to your mind. I’m sure it’s a valid choice. Especially if you said Bruno Fernandes.
What’s unique about Palmer, though, is his lack of overall flash. His body doesn’t stand out like a Haaland. His quick feet don’t stand out like those of a Salah. His pace doesn’t dazzle like that of a Saka. His personality doesn’t draw you in whatsoever considering he has that of a doorknob.
But nevertheless, it’s a joy to watch him play football. The hardest part for me is the kit he’s wearing, but that doesn’t say a whole lot.
He picks out magnificent passes. He scores ridiculous goals. He’s the definition of calm under pressure, as his nickname and celebration suggest. “Cold Palmer” is as entertaining a product as the Premier League has to offer.
And again, at age 22, there’s still room for growth. His role with the national side will only get bigger. Chelsea will only get better (I think?). He will only get better.
Consequently, he’ll continue to skyrocket into conversations about the world’s best players. We’ve entered an era where the next few seasons are all about who will separate from the pack and become the global icons that replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With his recent statistical domination of the world’s best league, Palmer fits the bill as a qualified candidate.
So of course, inconsequential and harmless discussions like whether he is Mr Premier League are fun to have. For 36 of the 38 Premier League game weeks, his highlights are fun to watch. Palmer is fun. Chelsea are now apparently fun.
He’s just a seriously great footballer. And his ceiling - at least for the time being - appears limitless.