Cole Palmer has shot towards the top of Chelsea’s expected goals lists since breaking into the team.
The attacking midfielder only has 9 starts, but has made it to second place on the list of players who have taken the most shots from the best positions – which effectively is what xG is on a player by player basis.
Nicolas Jackson is far out in the lead with 8.7, but he’s a striker has has 15 starts. Palmer is second on 5.2, next is Enzo Fernandez on 15.
Amazingly, Palmer is top of the expected assists too. He’s got 3.3.
Penalties play into his xG number a lot, but even excluding penalties and adjust for minutes played, Palmer is second among players with more than 5 starts.
He’s faded a little in recent games as the whole team has struggled, so we really hope he battles back this weekend. It’s a massive chance for him against a Sheffield United team which will sit deep. His skills will be more necessary than ever.
