Chelsea struck gold on £30m star who could soon be worth more than Palmer
Jamie Carragher is an excellent pundit. His depth of analysis and sharp tactical mind, partnered with an eccentric and larger-than-life personality, make him a cornerstone of punditry in English football. He gets so much right.
He doesn’t get everything right. Chelsea. Ah, Chelsea. Now there’s a pre-season opinion that looks like it’s falling flatter than a lemonade left out in the sun.
The former Liverpool star has been a big critic of Chelsea’s spending over the past few years, speaking with vociferous tones in August about the lavish scattergun strategy and how Chelsea were destined for yet another season of turmoil.
Only, that’s not happening. “Chelsea have got to stop buying players,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, questioning whether big-money buys would even have enough room for a seat in the cramped Stamford Bridge dressing room.
Chelsea finished the summer transfer window with an influx of talent, sure, but they also shipped on a host of first-teamers to shed the net spend down to £34m. £34m. Enzo Maresca has a large squad but now he’s willing and shaping it into something promising.
There is something to say about Maresca’s approach though, in that the bulk of the Blues’ summer additions have yet to nail down starting spots in the Premier League. It’s hard to unseat some of the regulars though, and on that note, let’s discuss the effervescent Cole Palmer.
Let’s talk about Cole Palmer
Goal. Goal. Goal. Goal. Four goals, all sumptuous, all trademark. Chelsea might as well build the statue now, for Palmer is quite clearly one of the most talented players to wear the Chelsea shirt.
Overlooked by Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate, Todd Boehly and Co saw something worth paying up £40m plus add-ons for in August 2023, signing the English talent from Manchester City who, at that moment, had three career league starts to his
name.
