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COLE PALMER does not yet have the silverware to match modern-day Chelsea legends – but he has become Stamford Bridge royalty in record speed.
The 22-year-old capped his 60th Blues appearance with a goal, an assist and a man of the match performance in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa yesterday.
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PA:Press AssociationIt was Palmer‘s 33rd strike and 21st assist since his £40million move from Manchester City at the start of last season.
In his debut year in West London, the England star scored 22 goals and it put him behind only Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts.
And he has carried his fine form into this season, netting eight goals in 13 games.
The attacking midfielder’s eye for a goal means he can only be compared to strikers.
Palmer’s stunning curler to wrap up victory against Villa was his 30th goal in the Prem for the Blues.
In just 46 appearances, only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has reached the milestone quicker for Chelsea (41 games).
The stunning stat means he has got to 30 goals in two matches less than Diego Costa and 21 fewer than Didier Drogba.
Both of those iconic strikers fired the Blues to the title in their first season at the club.
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Palmer has little belief he will achieve the same in his second term, scowling and shutting down a reporter that asked him about their title chances.
When it comes to goals and assists in a calendar year, the No20 needs just three more to set a new club record.
Palmer has registered 34 with six Prem games remaining in 2024.
Hasselbaink, who did the business in 2001, holds the record on 36.
Since Palmer made his debut for Chelsea in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in September 2023, he has been involved in 47 goals, which is more than any other player.
Despite only playing against some teams twice, has now scored against every Premier League team he has faced except Liverpool and Leicester.
And it has seen him and Joao Felix get high praise from Enzo Maresca, who said: “Cole and Joao is the reason why people pay for tickets; to watch that type of player.
“Cole can see things, like Joao, that the rest cannot see. It doesn’t mean the rest are not good but they are different from the rest.”
Chelsea ratings vs Aston Villa as Cole Palmer adds to his ridiculous Stamford Bridge tally
CHELSEA moved to joint-second in the Premier League table with a resounding 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer saw the Blues make light work of their opponents at Stamford Bridge.
Here, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh delivers her Chelsea player ratings…
Robert Sanchez – 6
Kept Ollie Watkins at bay on two occasions in the first-half, which was welcome after questions were raised over his place as first-choice goalkeeper.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Rare start from right-back in the absence of Reece James, but was solid in an inverted role as Chelsea grew in confidence.
Steps into challenges nicely at just the right time, and is becoming a dependable figure for the Blues.
Wesley Fofana – 4
Some uncomfortable moments for Fofana amid his battles with Watkins.
Was subbed off inside the hour mark after seemingly twisting his ankle as he treaded on the ball while tussling the Villa frontman.
Levi Colwill – 6
Would have been lower before he cleared Ross Barkley’s blistering header over the bar from a corner.
Went down easy when defending Watkins in the second-half, could’ve cost his side some chances against better opposition.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Chelsea’s most creative full-back won the ball high-up to set up Jackon’s opener.
Put the defensive work in aswell after having Jaden Philogene’s number the whole game.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball.
Seems the perfect pivot partner for Fernandez when Caicedo isn’t in the middle, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 7
His best goal in a Chelsea shirt this calender year with a slick volley past his Argentina team-mate Emi Martinez from the edge of the box.
The Chelsea captain set himself up after playing a lovely one-two with Palmer and was involved creatively throughout.
Pedro Neto – 6
Didn’t get on the ball enough compared to his fellow forward team-mates.
Lovely drop of the shoulder after Fofana was subbed off but a pretty quiet afternoon in comparison to Chelsea’s other attackers.
Cole Palmer – 8
Out of form? Nonsense. He’d been on the edges of it at times. But made one and scored an absolute screamer. You cannot keep a good man down.
Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has netted 30 goals at Stamford Bridge in fewer games.
Linked up well with Sancho and Fernandez and assisted the Argentine’s volley. The England star was a constant threat while charging at Robin Olsen’s goal in the second-half.
Jadon Sancho – 6
Full of confidence and a constant threat in a high wing-back role this afternoon.
Could’ve won his side a penalty but stayed on his feet inside 30 minutes.
Still not quite there in the final third, though, as he was replaced by Madueke midway through the second half.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
A poacher’s finish opened the scoring inside seven minutes – his eighth in the league this season.
A wonderful goal saw him get his foot round to volley in off the post with his weaker peg after Cucurella’s cross awkwardly deflected off Matty Cash.
Tangled with Martinez, who was replaced by Olsen at half-time.
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Benoit Badiashile (60’ for Fofana) – 6
Nothing too dramatic from the towering centre-back after replacing the injured Fofana.
Noni Madueke (70’ for Sancho) – 4
Booked for simulation in the final five minutes. Unnecessary.
Christopher Nkunku (70′ for Jackson) – 5
Great cross for what should’ve been Chelsea’s third as Palmer and Madueke got mixed up in the 77th minute.
Joao Felix – (86′ for Palmer) – 3
Missed a sitter at the death after Madueke’s shot was kept out. Also booked within three minutes of coming on for a lunge on Tielemans.
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