Just when you think the news in and around Chelsea Football Club has calmed down, there is an immediate twist.
Confirmed by the club in the early hours on September 1, Manchester City forward/midfielder Cole Palmer has officially moved to Stamford Bridge for a deal that is worth £42.5m. He put pen to paper on a seven-year contract with the option of an eighth in west London.
From what this attacking/midfield unit looked like last season, this is a complete overhaul. The ownership has done its best since the opening of the window to erase almost everyone and everything that played a part in last campaign’s disaster.
Palmer, a City academy graduate was one of the center pieces to England’s run to the U21 European title alongside his new club teammates Noni Madueke and Levi Colwill. In 24 starts over three campaigns in Premier League Two, the Englishman scored 21 goals while setting up his teammates on 10 occasions.
He made an impact early in the season for the defending Premier League champions, finding the back of the net in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and in the UEFA Super Cup triumph over Sevilla. None of that seemed to matter as Palmer has been unable to solidify a role.
In league play, the Englishmen has contributed just 11 minutes. With the incomings in his position on top of the talent already there, the 21-year-old has a desire to play more. Rightly so. The attacking-minded winger/midfielder not only possesses an extremely high ceiling, he has the potential to make a substantial impact in the present. The former City No. 80 is not someone who will blow anyone away with his speed. He is simply technically brilliant, using his eyes and elite footwork to exploit the defense in front of him.
‘Take risks. Score goals.’
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 1, 2023
Cole’s here to make memories. ✨ pic.twitter.com/AIWGRtr57F
One of the reasons why the club and the manager adore Palmer as a player is without question his ability to play in more than one position. It is taking a page out of the book of Emma Hayes’ Chelsea Women.
You can add him to a front three with Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling. The English youth international has the potential to dart down the left flank of a front three, or play his part on the right where he has the option to cut in on his strong left foot for a shot on goal. Without Christopher Nkunku, and Carney Chukwuemeka for the time being, the club needs someone with that “strikers mentality” in the midfield. Seen at the first team and developmental level, the Blues’ new No. 20 is far beyond is age when it comes to ball striking.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has the potential to grow into a special talent under Mauricio Pochettino
On the flip side, the 21-year-old can slide right into midfield three, acting as the orchestrator, otherwise known as the No. 10 ahead of Enzo Fernandez, and Moisés Caicedo. Other options Pochettino could tinker with now that the City youngster is on board include a box midfield with Fernandez, Caicedo, and at some point Romeo Lavia. In that formation, the 6-foot attacker should slot in on the right side of the top of that box with a right winger or right wing-back alongside him.
He’ll compete with the likes of Conor Gallagher, Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk for consistent playing time. Like the Argentine manager said in his press conference, the newcomer is not going to be gifted a spot at his new home even though he may expect it. That is how it should be. Pochettino is not going to cut any corners. If the City academy product buys in, he could become what he always wanted to be at his boyhood club but in the English capital.
Considering the turnaround time, the youngster will most likely be making his debut in Chelsea blue against Bournemouth on September 17 on the south coast. Given that he knows more than a few west Londoners already, it should not take long for him to settle into his new home. That does not mean success will follow right away. Greatness takes time.
He fits the project in west London to a tee: young, versatile and gifted enough to contribute in the present while possessing the potential to be a cornerstone for the future. Will Cole Palmer succeed at Chelsea Football Club?