Cole Palmer's journey from a fringe player at Manchester City to a sensation at Chelsea and a potential starter for England at Euro 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable.
The 22-year-old forward's £40 million move to Stamford Bridge last summer raised eyebrows, but he quickly silenced critics with an outstanding debut season, registering an impressive 22 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League.
Palmer's performances not only earned him the prestigious Premier League Young Player of the Year award but also a spot in Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad for the upcoming European Championship.
In an exclusive interview with SPORTbible, Palmer expressed his surprise at being in contention for the tournament, admitting that he had surpassed his own expectations.
"You’re sitting there with all the other lads and a manager saying, ‘The aim will be to get to the senior squad’. But you’re looking at the senior squad and thinking, 'Oh, there are so many players ahead of me. I never doubted my ability, but there were a lot of factors that contributed to [being in contention for the plane]. So I have surprised myself."
Cole Palmer was instrumental in Chelsea's late surge
Despite the challenges faced by Chelsea throughout the campaign, Palmer's contributions were instrumental in the team's late surge up the table. The Blues secured a sixth-place finish and a spot in next season's UEFA Conference League, thanks in part to Palmer's heroics, including a thrilling hat-trick in a 4-3 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer's inclusion in the England squad is a testament to his hard work and talent, but securing a starting spot will be no easy task. The Three Lions boast a wealth of talented players in every position, and Palmer will have to compete with the likes of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka for a place on the right flank. However, his versatility could work in his favour, as he can also be deployed as an attacking midfielder.
Looking ahead to next season, Palmer has high hopes for his Chelsea teammate Romeo Lavia, who was limited to just 32 minutes of competitive football due to injury. Palmer believes that once Lavia gets playing, everyone will recognise his quality and potential impact on the team.
Off the pitch, Palmer is also making a difference through his involvement in Cif's Re-Kicks initiative, which aims to provide underprivileged children with access to football by donating cleaned, unwanted boots.
Growing up, Palmer witnessed firsthand how the cost of playing football could be a barrier for many families, and he hopes to inspire young people to chase their dreams both on and off the pitch.
All eyes will be on Cole Palmer to see if he can continue his meteoric rise and cement his place in England's starting lineup. With his talent, determination, and the support of his teammates and fans, there's no telling how far this young star can go.