According to BBC pundit Pat Nevin, Chelsea’s attacking midfielder Cole Palmer possesses the potential to follow in the footsteps of Kevin De Bruyne.
Having made a significant career move by leaving Manchester City to join Chelsea in a €47 million deal last summer, Palmer has quickly justified his decision, emerging as a key figure in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad at Stamford Bridge.
Across all competitions this season, the 21-year-old has featured in 28 matches, contributing 12 goals and nine assists to Chelsea’s cause. Observing Palmer’s flourishing performances, Nevin reiterated his earlier assertion that the English talent could emulate De Bruyne.
“Cole Palmer could be the new Kevin De Bruyne,” Nevin stated. “I’ve said that before and took a lot of stick for it. I even said it on national radio when he was still at Manchester City. I don’t make hyperbolic statements and I don’t exaggerate, so it was a big statement.”
Nevin emphasized Palmer’s ability to make decisive passes and create opportunities, branding him as the catalyst behind Chelsea’s success. He further proclaimed Palmer as Chelsea’s standout signing during the Todd Boehly era, expressing confidence in the player’s potential even before his Chelsea debut.
“Palmer is the best Chelsea signing of the Boehly era. I don’t even have to wait a millisecond to answer that question,” Nevin asserted. “I’m not sure how the other signings will develop or how well they’ll perform in the future, but Chelsea lacked a creative vision. It was so obvious.”
“Cole Palmer just fell into their lap. People may dismiss him as a lucky signing, but Chelsea had to go for him when he was available. I knew he was their best player before he’d even kicked a ball for them,” Nevin added.
Having observed De Bruyne closely during his time at Manchester City, Palmer is poised to inherit traits from one of the modern era’s finest playmakers, adding intrigue to his development at Chelsea.
