Chelsea dropped more points in yesterday’s match at home to Bournemouth, but it didn’t stop Cole Palmer from leaving another memorable mark in a Premier League fixture.
Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, which means they’re without a win in five straight league games. It would’ve been even worse for the Blues if Reece James hadn’t scored a stoppage time free-kick to rescue a point.
Cole Palmer continues to be the shining light in the Blues squad by scoring his 14th league goal of the season versus Bournemouth. In last night’s goal, he showed remarkable skill and composure to trick the goalkeeper with a feint shot before tucking in a simple finish.
The 22-year-old attacker is now only behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (18) and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (16) in the Premier League’s golden boot race this campaign.
Chelsea fans do think Palmer sometimes gets tired in games, so head coach Enzo Maresca shouldn’t be afraid to substitute him off the pitch. It must be hard to even contemplate removing a player with his match-winning ability, though.
Peter Crouch compares Cole Palmer to Mesut Ozil
Peter Crouch was left amazed by Chelsea’s Palmer after his brilliant first-half goal in midweek against Bournemouth. In fact, he even compared the 22-year-old Blues youngster to Arsenal legend Mesut Ozil.
When discussing Palmer’s goal versus Bournemouth, Crouch told TNT Sports 1 (14 January): “It reminds me of Mesut Ozil a little bit, the calmness, he looks too casual, just sits the goalkeeper down.
“The amount of people that get in that position, packed stadium and lash it over the bar or wide, the ability for a young man to stop it, put the keeper down and roll it into an empty net, that’s what makes him special.”
Joe Cole said Chelsea’s Palmer reminds of Lionel Messi during the draw against Bournemouth. He’s now received comparisons to former Premier League star Ozil, too.
36-year-old playmaker Ozil, who’s now retired, enjoyed a spectacular career in the game. In particular, he’s an Arsenal legend for what he achieved during eight years at the Emirates Stadium. The German star won six pieces of silverware with the Gunners. Also, he scored 44 goals and created 74 assists in 254 Arsenal appearances.
It’s easy to see why Palmer and Ozil may be compared because both are left-footed geniuses that look so calm and in control on a football pitch.
Speaking back in February 2024, Andy Townsend did compare Chelsea’s Palmer to Ozil because of a similar style of play.
Cole Palmer telepathy with Chelsea teammate
Yet again, Palmer and Nicolas Jackson combined for a Chelsea goal in midweek.
It’s no surprise to see that they’re the most lethal combination in the Premier League since the start of last season, linking up for 12 goals in that time.
Jackson slid Palmer in on goal against Bournemouth with a perfectly weighted through ball for the side’s opening goal yesterday. Unfortunately, Jackson saw his header saved later on after getting on the end of a marvellous inswinging cross from Palmer.
The movement and connection between the Blues stars is so difficult for opponents to stop, but Jackson’s shooting boots have gone missing in the last few weeks.
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