Yesterday we wrote about how Chelsea have a few different genuine competitors for the Player of the Year award shows that we’ve had a better season that our last one, even though it’s had its ups and downs.
We identified Cole Palmer as the top choice, leading other contenders like Conor Gallagher and Malo Gusto.
So what were the best games that we’ve seen from the former Man City man so far? He’s played across all competitions and picked up of goals and assists along the way, often in vital moments that won us important points.
According to WhoScored, he had 4 games for us where he picked up a rating of 8.0 or above. Of course those tend to be the games where he got the most goal contributions – but that makes sense anyway. Palmer isn’t a player who sits and controls the game with a lot of touches and interplay, he keeps quiet then strikes in a very effective way. The match against Crystal Palace last week is the perfect example. He was anonymous throughout, but who pops up to grab two vital assists towards the end to win it? The man himself. There’s a reason why Pochettino tends to leave him on for the full 90.
Palmer’s first 8+ rated game came against Tottenham in our 4-1 win, where he scored a penalty early on and then assisted Nicolas Jackson right at the death. Spurs were down to ten men in that game, so it doesn’t feel as impressive.
Another 8+ came against Middlesbrough in the 6-1 win, where he got two goals. Again, it was a great showing, but against weaker opposition.
The third was the game against Sheffield United. We were in bad form, and it was his decisive goal and assist that won us the match.
But Cole’s greatest game was probably in 3-2 win over Luton. He ran the show, picking up two great goals and an assist as Mauricio Pochettino’s team ran riot for 70 minutes, before they had a little wobble and conceded two. This game we really saw him at his commanding best – all our chances went through him, and he showed that he can still be effective when not used in his favoured right wing position.
So those were his 4 best rated games – could he top them all this Sunday? Carabao Cup Final Tickets are still available, so go to Wembley and see for yourself if he can set a new high-water mark!
