Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did find a positive in Cole Palmer despite a disappointing evening for Chelsea yesterday.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 away defeat last night at Manchester United, which means they stay 10th in the Premier League table.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have recorded just five wins in 15 league games so far this season, so any ambitions of a European finish are becoming increasingly more difficult every week.
Man United midfielder Scott McTominay scored a goal in each half to give his side a deserved three league points. It means that Cole Palmer’s fifth Chelsea goal was in vein.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in awe
Former Chelsea striker Hasselbaink absolutely loved what he saw from Palmer versus Man United.
The 21-year-old Blues attacker levelled the game before half-time with such a cool finish. He tucked the ball into the bottom corner with his strong left foot after skill on the edge of the box.
When discussing Palmer’s goal last night, Hasselbaink told Amazon Prime Sport (9:15pm, 6 December): “A moment of class. He knows exactly what he is doing. He’s totally in control. He’s tying to shoot the first time but he cannot. He waits. He knows exactly from the corner of his eye where the goalkeeper is and where the space is to put the ball. Luckily he hits it with enough pace.”
Speaking via X last night, Ian Wright hailed the “pure football knowledge” from Palmer for his latest Chelsea goal.
Cole Palmer a rare positive for Chelsea
It certainly wasn’t Palmer’s best performance to date in a Chelsea shirt, but he did show a few flashes of brilliance during a very difficult game for his side at Old Trafford.
His exceptionally well-taken goal on Wednesday takes his tally up to five goals and four assists in 14 Blues appearances, so he’s certainly justifying his spot in the starting line-up. Incidentally, it was his first goal from open play after four penalty kicks previously.
Aged 21, Palmer is one of few players in the squad that has a big personality and looks ready to rise to this increasing pressure on the side.
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