Frank Leboeuf has been pretty negative about Chelsea overall in the last couple of years, but even he was left glowing and delighted by Cole Palmer’s latest performance.
The attacking midfielder is now up to combined 45 goals and assists in the Premier League since the start of last season. That’s just insane – more even than Erling Haaland. On ESPN Leboeuf called him a “genius,” and Nedum Onuouha compared him to Kevin De Bruyne.
Leboeuf did make an interesting note about the team – how Maresca had adapted his initial idea of getting the team playing out from the back and switched to a far more simple and direct build up which is helping the team.
Certainly Palmer is capable of playing any style you like, but the sweeping counter attacks this side are experts at are suiting him, either as the provider of a long pass or as the finisher. We saw him in both roles yesterday. You can see Leboeuf speaking in the clip embedded here:
Palmer is like a fusion of two of the best Premier League attackers ever
Onuoha described Palmer as looking like he “played football on easy mode,” and we really like that as a description.
“It’s like this is the easiest thing in the world for him. He finds a bit of space, takes somebody on, finds a pass, has a shot. Always has an involvement in the game.”
That’s what really make Palmer stand out – the contrast between the incredible numbers, as above, and the ease and calmness with which he plays. He’s not chasing up and down the pitch with crazy intensity or energy, he’s playing with the relaxed and entertaining style of an Eden Hazard, while putting up the numbers of a Mo Salah.
It’s a unique and awesome combination that makes him just a magnetic presence to enjoy on the field.
