Chelsea must rue losing top talent for £0, now he’s worth more than Palmer
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Frenetic. That’s probably the best word to describe Chelsea right now. The BlueCo ownership has taken fans on a ride that’s felt like both a thrilling rollercoaster and a nerve-wracking earthquake at times.
Despite the challenges of recent seasons, Chelsea has its sights set on the Champions League, a trophy they won just three years ago but now feels a bit out of reach. The club’s transfer activity has left a divide among fans—some are thrilled by the ambition, while others are skeptical of the seemingly chaotic strategy.
Amid all the ups and downs, Chelsea managed to secure Cole Palmer from Manchester City for £40 million. The young England forward was a sensation in the Premier League last season, and he’s now regarded as one of Europe’s top talents.
Cole Palmer’s Bright Start at Chelsea
Palmer has wasted no time making an impact. He’s consistently found the back of the net and shown off his incredible playmaking abilities. In fact, he racked up three assists for Noni Madueke in a standout performance at Molineux back in August.
In just 50 appearances for Chelsea, the 22-year-old has already scored 26 goals and provided 19 assists. Even Reece James, the Chelsea captain, has gone on record to call Palmer “one of the best in the world.”
It’s exciting to imagine where Palmer’s career could go from here. The £40 million Chelsea spent on him now looks like a steal, with Transfermarkt recently valuing him at £68 million—though it’s likely his real market value is even higher.
But what if Chelsea had another star of similar stature who slipped through their grasp? That’s where Declan Rice comes into the conversation.
The One That Got Away: Declan Rice
Chelsea had Declan Rice in their youth ranks but let him go at just 14 years old. Scouts doubted his physicality and ultimately decided against promoting him through the ranks to the first team.
Fast forward to today, and Rice is a European trophy winner with West Ham and the midfield powerhouse of Arsenal. Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, Rice is helping transform Arsenal into one of Europe’s elite squads.
Journalist Rob Blanchette once called Rice a “force of nature,” and it’s hard to disagree. His £105 million transfer to Arsenal a year ago places him among the most expensive players in Premier League history, and according to Transfermarkt, his current value sits at £101 million.
Rice has evolved into a versatile player, excelling in multiple roles. Last season, he ranked in the top 12% of Premier League midfielders for goals scored, top 16% for assists, and top 12% for passing accuracy. His ability to both break up play and push his team forward with progressive passes makes him one of the most complete midfielders in Europe.
While Rice may be a few years older than Palmer, he’s undoubtedly in the same league in terms of talent. And Chelsea must be kicking themselves for letting such a talent slip away from their youth academy.
