Joe Cole has urged Cole Palmer to stay at Chelsea and become the face of the next era at Stamford Bridge, stating it’s only a matter of time until the club returns to the elite realms.
Palmer leads the Premier League scoring chart alongside former teammate Erling Haaland of Manchester City, whom he left on summer deadline day in a £45m deal. He has since received his first two senior England caps and looks like a certainty for Euro 2024.
Palmer – now a doubt for Tuesday’s clash with Arsenal – had initially requested to go out on loan. But when the club said the only options available were staying or being sold, the 21-year-old chose to take up Mauricio Pochettino’s offer in a bid to claim more game time.
The attacker – who had scored in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup prior to his summer switch – has registered 36 goal contributions in 39 Chelsea matches. Former Chelsea winger Cole has praised Palmer for taking the “step down” in the hunt for more matches.
“I think you’ve got to credit him for taking [the move],” Cole told football.london and other reporters, courtesy of TNT Sports. “Ultimately, we have to say it was a step down from where he was the treble-winners, of course. And he’s been brilliant. He lit the place up.
“He’s been extraordinary, and I think he could have played himself into the England team. I think he’s got the mindset for it. I think he’s got the quality. And I think if I was him, I’d want to be the face of the rebirth of Chelsea Football Club as a global team.”
Asked if he’d advise Palmer to stay at Chelsea, Cole replied: “Yeah, 100%. Because it’s not like Chelsea are not ever going to get back to the top – they will be.
“Even if they make as many mistakes as they have been in the last three years, you’re still going to get some wins. Cole Palmer is looking like a leader in the team as well? So just a proper player.”
