Gary Neville has admitted that Cole Palmer is “completely shocking him” in terms of what he’s delivering on the pitch for Chelsea.
Palmer lit up the Premier League last season following his move from Manchester City and was named Young Player of the Year after scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists.
The task facing the 22-year-old this campaign is can he match or even better those achievements and on the early evidence you wouldn’t bet against him.
Neville shocked by Palmer
Palmer has picked up where he left off and following his incredible four goal haul against Brighton on Saturday he now has six goals this season, with only Erling Haaland scoring more.
Whilst Chelsea have added to their attacking quality this summer with Joao Felix, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto in an attempt to take some of the burden off Palmer, it vey much feels like the former City ace is still the main man for the Blues.
The supporting cast have stepped up when Palmer has had quieter games this season, but he appears to be thriving in a more central role under Enzo Maresca this campaign.
Palmer is rightfully receiving plaudits for his display against the Seagulls, in which he became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in a game before half time, with Neville admitting he’s been completely shocked with how the Chelsea man is performing.
“Cole Palmer is going and just completely shocking me in terms of what he’s delivering,” he told NBC Sport as cited on X.com.
“I can’t believe the level that he’s getting to. I mean to think that he wasn’t playing for England in the European tournament in the summer now just seems absolutely ridiculous.
“And it seems even more ridiculous that Manchester City who have been unbelievable in the transfer market have let one of their own go.”
Palmer, who recently signed a two year contact extension keeping him at the club until 2033 will have the night off against Gent on Thursday evening after being left out of the squad for the league phase of the Europa Conference League, but will return to action against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
