Chelsea star who left for £0 just finished above Palmer in the Ballon d’Or
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Enzo Maresca’s Strong Start as Chelsea Manager
Enzo Maresca is quickly proving himself a smart hire for Chelsea, despite some initial skepticism. Appointed by Todd Boehly, Maresca’s leadership has helped the Blues hold a solid fifth position in the Premier League after nine matches, with only two losses to top contenders Liverpool and Manchester City.
Europa Conference League Success
Maresca’s Chelsea is also making waves in the Europa Conference League, winning their first two matches and securing the top spot in their group. His approach aligns well with the current squad’s strengths, leading to a consistent lineup and providing new, big-name players a supportive environment to excel.
Cole Palmer Shines Under Maresca
One standout this season is Cole Palmer, who’s continued his excellent form from the previous year. After a £40 million transfer from Manchester City, Palmer has quickly made himself indispensable at Chelsea. Last season, he contributed to Chelsea’s European qualification with an impressive 33 goals and assists—the highest in the league. Far from a one-hit-wonder, Palmer remains instrumental in Chelsea’s early success this season.
Palmer’s performance has also solidified his role in the England national team, with 12 goal contributions in just nine games. Notably, he scored four times in a recent match against Brighton, positioning him as the league’s top contributor, even ahead of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.
Recognition for Palmer’s Achievements
Palmer’s standout season earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a Ballon d’Or nomination. However, one former Chelsea player outperformed him in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Antonio Rüdiger: The Former Chelsea Star Who Ranked Higher in the Ballon d’Or
German defender Antonio Rüdiger joined Chelsea in 2017 for £29 million from Roma, adding much-needed depth to Antonio Conte’s defensive lineup following their Premier League title win. Over five years, Rüdiger made over 200 appearances and played a pivotal role in securing Chelsea’s second Champions League title in 2020/21.
Despite his success with Chelsea, Rüdiger left on a free transfer to Real Madrid in 2022, a move that’s allowed him to achieve greater career heights. Under Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, the 31-year-old “warrior” has added seven major trophies to his name, including another Champions League title.
A Top Ballon d’Or Finish for Rüdiger
Rüdiger ranked 22nd in the latest Ballon d’Or standings, three spots ahead of Palmer, who finished 25th. Chelsea had tried to retain him, even offering a £200,000-per-week contract, but his departure left a gap in the team’s defense that Maresca might have benefited from in his debut season. Rüdiger’s defensive prowess could have brought extra stability to support Maresca’s early tenure at Chelsea.
