Darren Bent gives honest thoughts on Chelsea star Cole Palmer being nominated for the Ballon d’Or

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Darren Bent has reacted to this week’s news that Chelsea star Cole Palmer is on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or prize.

If you’re looking for the biggest positive under the current Chelsea owners, the signing of Cole Palmer from Manchester City last year might just sit right at the very top.

The 22-year-old attacking playmaker has become the poster boy at Stamford Bridge. Remarkably, he’s now scored 26 goals and made 19 assists in 50 games across all competitions as a Blues player.

Chelsea’s new talisman is up for the prestigious Ballon d’Or prize after a stunning debut season in west London last year. Palmer has also been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month.

• READ MORE: Trevoh Chalobah posts wordless reaction to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer being nominated for the Ballon d’Or

Darren Bent questions Cole Palmer nomination for Ballon d’Or

TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent has given his honest thoughts on Palmer’s Ballon d’Or nomination by suggesting that the Chelsea ace is lucky to be selected.

When discussing Palmer’s inclusion on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Bent told talkSPORT: “For Chelsea, domestically, was brilliant. He didn’t win anything. He doesn’t play in Europe. He doesn’t start for his country. How are you on one of the 30 best players in the world?”

Is he right?

While we appreciate Palmer didn’t have the opportunity to play in European football last season, we’d argue he’s done more than enough to be placed alongside some of the names on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

The left-footed playmaker, who won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award, was one of the top individuals in England’s top division last season. He’s picked up where he left off in the early stages of this campaign, too.

If you’re looking for match-winners in the sport right now, Chelsea attacker Palmer is one of the standout ones.

Yes, he’s got so much more to do to prove himself consistently on the biggest stage. Let’s not forget that he scored for England in the final of Euro 2024 less than two months ago, though.