Cole Palmer challenged to win trophies.
Image credit: Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea’s 22-year-old star Cole Palmer has already captured the hearts of fans and is being hailed as one of the brightest talents at Stamford Bridge.
Former Chelsea manager and Champions League winner Roberto Di Matteo, speaking to Goal, described Palmer as “Mr Cool,” a player who is already a legend in the eyes of many Blues supporters.
However, Di Matteo believes that to be truly regarded as a Chelsea great, Palmer must win trophies.
Palmer, who moved to Chelsea from Manchester City for £40 million ($50m) in the summer of 2023, made an immediate impact in his debut season.
Scoring 25 goals and earning PFA Young Player of the Year and Premier League Young Player of the Year accolades, he established himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
In the current season, Palmer has maintained his form, netting 14 goals, including a historic four-goal first-half performance against Brighton.
His consistency and influence have made him a key figure both at Chelsea and for England.
Di Matteo’s Praise for Palmer
When asked about Palmer’s abilities and whether he could remain a long-term fixture at Chelsea, Di Matteo spoke highly of his technical skills.
He’s a great player. He glides over the pitch. He always finds the space. I think, why don’t the opposition mark him? But then I’ve watched him very closely and he’s such an intelligent player.
The former Chelsea manager also noted Palmer’s ability to read the game before receiving the ball, calling it a “great gift” that many top players possess.
Di Matteo even went as far as to call him “the best signing in the new era” under Chelsea’s current ownership, praising his ability to change games and influence matches.
Trophies Are Key, Says Di Matteo
Despite Palmer’s impressive performances, Di Matteo is clear on what it takes to cement one’s legacy at a club as prestigious as Chelsea.
“I think in the hearts of fans he is already probably in that bracket,” Di Matteo said of Palmer potentially joining the ranks of Chelsea greats.
As a player, you need to achieve trophies. That’s what validates you as a player.
Di Matteo elaborated that without winning trophies, even the most talented players may feel unsatisfied with their careers.
If you go through your career and you don’t win anything, you might be a great player but I don’t think as an individual he would be happy with that.
For Palmer, the next step is to start collecting silverware, something Di Matteo believes will “validate him even more.”
A Bright Future for Chelsea Under Todd Boehly
Di Matteo also touched on Chelsea’s aspirations for future success. While the club has failed to win a trophy in the last two seasons, Di Matteo remains confident that Chelsea is on the right path under the ownership of Todd Boehly.
He said:
There has been a lot of change within the club structure and the team as well. It’s just a question of time. There is a lot of talent in the team.
He emphasized the importance of consistency and experience in achieving success, noting that players need time to understand the challenges of the Premier League and adapt to its intensity.
Every game is a battle and you cannot be off for any game, otherwise you don’t get many points.
With Chelsea sitting fourth in the Premier League and on track for Champions League qualification, there are signs of progress under Boehly’s ownership.
The Blues are also still in the FA Cup and Europa Conference League, with the potential for more trophies on the horizon.
For Palmer, the next step is clear: deliver silverware and validate the hype surrounding him as one of Chelsea’s future legends.