Cole Palmer has already matched little-known Lionel Messi record and it speaks volumes
Cole Palmer matched a little-known record set by Lionel Messi during Chelsea's Club World Cup final win over PSG and it sums up his ability.
Since his £40 million transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea in the summer of 2023, Palmer has defied even the most optimistic expectations.
He has not only adapted to the pressure of playing at Stamford Bridge but has developed into their key player.
In the 2024 calendar year, Palmer was directly involved in 39 Premier League goals, scoring 26 times and assisting 13.
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That figure is the most goal involvements ever recorded by a Chelsea player in a Premier League season.
Although he suffered an 18-game goal drought, Palmer bounced back for the Conference League final and the FIFA Club World Cup.
In the Club World Cup final, Chelsea produced an excellent performance to beat Champions League winners PSG.
Palmer was at the heart of everything for Chelsea, scoring two great goals as they raced into a 3-0 lead.
He also managed to break another record, which is highly valued by coaches.
According to data supplied by BeYourBest, as per the Chelsea subreddit, Palmer scanned the pitch on 610 occasions, averaging 3.4 scans before receiving the ball.
It was the same mark as Lionel Messi set in the 2022 World Cup final against France, where Messi led Argentina to a dramatic penalty shootout victory.
Such awareness on the pitch is crucial for midfielders and forwards and Palmer's numbers highlight just how intelligent Palmer is on the pitch.
What can Cole Palmer achieve this season?
After Palmer's first-season at Chelsea in which he was involved in 42 goals, he established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.
But the second half of last season served as a reminder that he is still only 23 years old and there is room for him to improve.
He has already scored in both a European Championship final for England and a Club World Cup final for Chelsea.
But he has only played a bit-part role in the Champions League - arguably the toughest competition in the world - to this point having made a handful of appearances during former club Manchester City's maiden success in the tournament two years ago.
With Chelsea back in Europe's premier club competition, he will now get to prove himself against the top clubs on the continent.
Chelsea have again reinforced their squad, adding to confidence among supporters that they could mount an unlikely title challenge.
Forwards Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have arrived from Brighton and Ipswich respectively.
Jamie Gittens has signed as a left-winger from Borussia Dortmund, while the highly rated Brazilian 18-year-old Estevao has joined from Palmeiras.
They are still looking to make further attacking additions this summer, with Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho again linked.
Topics: Cole Palmer, Chelsea, Premier League, Lionel Messi, Football, Man City
James Taylor