Chelsea’s ‘Cold Palmer’ heating up ahead of Man City reunion
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has emerged as a Player of the Year contender thanks to a dazzling campaign that le Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to rue what might have been ahead of their reunion in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
Palmer is enjoying a breakthrough season following his surprise move from City on transfer deadline day in September.
The 21-year-old scored four times in Chelsea’s 6-0 rout of Everton on Monday, showing why he is nicknamed ‘Cold Palmer’ with an ice-cool penalty a er refusing to let team-mate Nicolas Jackson take the kick.
Palmer’s ruthless penalty prowess would have come in handy for City, who were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday a er a shoot-out that featured misses from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic.
While Palmer’s old club were stunned by that painful loss, Chelsea will face City at Wembley in buoyant mood a er his latest highlight reel performance against Everton.
Given licence to roam from his nominal starting position on the right of Chelsea’s front three, Palmer has starred with lethal finishing and a creative touch that has produced nine Premier League assists this season.
Palmer has ne ed 23 times in all competitions this term, including 20 in 28 league appearances to make him the joint top-scorer alongside City’s Erling Haaland.
It is unlikely he would have matched those impressive statistics if he had stayed at City, where Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku blocked his path to progress from promising academy graduate to first-team regular.
Instead of a bit-part role with City, Palmer’s emergence as Chelsea’s most influential player has been the brightest spot in a difficult campaign for the west Londoners.
Palmer has remained polite about the end of his 13-year association with City, but there can be li le doubt knocking out the FA Cup holders would carry extra significance for the forward.
“To make the decision to come to Chelsea was a big one for me and my family, but I just wanted to play football.
“I’m thankful to Chelsea for the opportunity. I’m buzzing,” Palmer said.
Beaten by Liverpool in the League Cup final in February, Chelsea are chasing their first domestic silverware since the 2018 FA Cup.