Cole Palmer: Chelsea’s Rising Star

Since arriving at Chelsea in 2023, Cole Palmer has taken the Premier League by storm, showing what a dramatic impact one bold career move can have. Moving from Manchester City to Chelsea wasn’t even on his radar initially, but it’s turned out to be one of the most exciting transfers in recent memory.

Palmer’s Breakout Season at Chelsea

At just 22, Palmer was named Premier League and PFA Young Player of the Season after tallying an impressive 22 goals and 11 assists in his debut season. Despite Chelsea’s struggles, he quickly became their standout performer and wasted no time proving that his success was no one-season wonder. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Palmer has already started this season with a bang, racking up seven goals and five assists, with Chelsea emerging as serious contenders for a top-four finish.

The Journey from Manchester City to Chelsea

Ranked 18th on FourFourTwo’s list of the world’s top players, Palmer took a huge step by leaving Manchester City for regular first-team action at Chelsea. Despite Riyad Mahrez’s exit, City manager Pep Guardiola couldn’t offer Palmer the game time he wanted. As a result, Palmer made the £40 million switch to Chelsea on a dramatic deadline day in 2023. Reflecting on the transfer in an interview with GQ, Palmer admitted it wasn’t his initial plan to join Chelsea—he was actually hoping for a loan move.

“I wasn’t even planning to go to Chelsea,” he shared. “I just knew I wanted more minutes, especially seeing other young players already playing week in, week out.”

Palmer recalls that during City’s training session just before the transfer deadline, he kept asking the staff if they’d finalized the deal, eager to see what lay ahead. Only a day after his transfer, he made his Chelsea debut against Nottingham Forest, marking the beginning of what has been an incredible journey.

Palmer’s Market Value Soars

With his standout performances, Palmer’s market value has skyrocketed, now reaching €90 million, according to Transfermarkt. But if you ask FourFourTwo, a move away from Stamford Bridge seems highly unlikely for now, as Palmer has become the heart and soul of Chelsea’s squad. His transfer to Chelsea wasn’t in his original plans, but it’s safe to say that Palmer has found his place in London, and Chelsea fans are loving every minute of it.