Playing in an unconventional number 9 position, Cole Palmer posed a significant challenge to Arsenal’s center-backs, William Saliba and Gabriel, with his intelligent movements on the pitch.

 

The English U21 international opened his scoring account for Chelsea earlier this month, converting a penalty against Burnley. Once again, he stepped up from the spot when Chelsea was awarded a penalty in the 15th minute of their clash with Arsenal.

The penalty was the result of Saliba’s wide-arm obstruction of Mykhailo Mudryk’s header. Palmer calmly executed the penalty kick, sending David Raya in the wrong direction.

 

It seems that Palmer has secured a regular starting position in Chelsea’s lineup, whether in the central attacking role or a wider position. The left-footed player has been impeccable from the spot, successfully converting all two penalty kicks since his move from Manchester City.

In addition to his spot-kick abilities, the 21-year-old has made a significant impact on Chelsea. His fluid movement and adaptability, especially when playing as a virtual number 9, demonstrate his high football IQ and awareness on the field.

 

Against Arsenal, Palmer was one of Chelsea’s standout performers. During his 84 minutes on the pitch, he attempted two shots, both on target, and scored a goal while narrowly missing another opportunity. Despite not engaging in a high number of passes (25), Palmer’s passing accuracy was remarkable at 96%, including one key pass. Impressively, the former Manchester City star also contributed defensively with a crucial interception.

Chelsea’s recent transfer activities have faced criticism, but they may have struck gold with the acquisition of Cole Palmer. Chelsea paid an initial fee of £40 million, with an additional £2.5 million in add-ons, to secure the young talent. This transfer took Chelsea’s spending, under the ownership of Todd Boehly, past the £1.02 billion mark.

 

Palmer inked a seven-year contract with an option for an additional year when he joined Chelsea. Speaking about his transfer to The Blues, Palmer expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m thrilled to get started, and it feels fantastic to sign. I joined Chelsea because the project here is very exciting, and I look forward to showcasing my talent. It’s a young and ambitious squad, and I hope we can achieve something special here.”

Discussing the transfer, former player Darren Bent admitted to being surprised when Manchester City agreed to sell Palmer to Chelsea in the summer. It appears that Chelsea has made a shrewd investment in the promising young talent