Chelsea supporters will be so glad that Cole Palmer decided to join their club from Manchester City last year.
Since joining Chelsea, Cole Palmer has been a revelation. This season, the attacking midfielder has already come up with 18 goal contributions in as many league games.
The club’s co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields has been credited for the signing of Palmer. But it looks like Chelsea fans may now have to thank someone else as well.
Despite the Blues losing 2-1 to west London rivals Fulham on Thursday, Palmer was still named in WhoScored’s Team of the Week.
Ryan Bertrand helped Joe Shields to move to Chelsea
Ryan Bertrand is a player who has a special place in the hearts of Chelsea supporters.
The former defender, of course, played a pivotal role in the club winning the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
However, fans now have another reason to appreciate Bertrand. According to the Daily Mail, through FA Sport, Bertrand and his business partner Louis Bell were integral in Chelsea’s appointment of Shields, who went on to push for the club to sign Palmer.
Even in retirement, then, the former England international is doing some good work for his old side.
It could be a big year for Palmer, who will be looking to become central to Thomas Tuchel’s England plans. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Palmer has to start for England going forward.
Who else has Joe Shields helped Chelsea to sign?
As well as Palmer, it is also thought that Shields played a key role in Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho joining Chelsea.
It would not be a surprise, with the 37-year-old knowing Lavia and Sancho from his time at City.
He was also with Lavia at Southampton for a brief spell, so these really do look like his signings, or he has at least had some input.
Chelsea, then, look like they owe some of their recent success to Shields and Bertrand.
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