Pundit Pat Nevin has claimed that Chelsea have a player who is about to be seen as world-class.
He told BBC Sport that the youngster is the closest player he has seen to Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne in a long time.
Despite defeat to Brentford at the weekend, Palmer was the standout performer by some distance in a Chelsea shirt.
Near enough anything created in the attacking third for the home side came from the 21-year-old, who has made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet in recent weeks.
Nevin has claimed that the former City man is currently the brightest ray of hope in another particularly difficult time at Stamford Bridge.
Nevin praises Palmer
He said: “From their current league position to the long injury list, there is so much negativity surrounding Chelsea.
“Add to that the lack of Champions League football for the foreseeable future – and the financial problems that this will bring. That is before you consider the frankly frightening run of upcoming matches in the Premier League. Don’t even mention the terrible atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
“There are rays of hope, however. The brightest is Cole Palmer. I was wary of saying it out loud before but, watching him at the Bridge once again, I am convinced this lad could be world class very soon. He is the closest I have seen to a young Kevin de Bruyne for a very long time.”
Perhaps the current focus for the Blues should be the EFL Cup, a competition they are back in action in tonight against Blackburn Rovers.
With silverware quickly becoming something of the past, it would be a big moment for Mauricio Pochettino to get the fans onside by winning a trophy in his first season at the club.
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