Cole Palmer followed in the footsteps of former Manchester City teammate Riyad Mahrez following his transfer to Chelsea. The 21-year-old midfielder, who swapped the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge in the summer, has enjoyed an excellent start to life with the Blues.
Palmer has featured 10 times for Mauricio Pochettino's side this season, scoring four from the spot in his last five English top-flight appearances. As pointed out by BBC Sport, the playmaker is just one of only two players in Premier League history to score a penalty in four games during a run of five.
The other being Riyad Mahrez, who was just as composed from 12-yards between December 2021 and February 2022. Palmer's composure has already secured Chelsea some crucial points in the race for top-four, vindicating his controversial move to west London.
Eye-brows were raised when the Blues signed the England international late into the summer transfer window. So much so that not even Pochettino was aware that the club had acquired Pep Guardiola's prised possession.
Ahead of Chelsea's clash against Nottingham Forest earlier this season, the former Tottenham boss was asked for his thoughts on Palmer. He quickly heaped praise on the club's co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley for their work.
"I think the sporting director and the owner of course, but the sporting director it was his idea to add him to the squad," said Pochettino. "I think he’s fit for the project. Talented player, of course."
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Then, on why he felt Palmer wanted to join Chelsea, Pochettino added: "Also he decided to come because he expects to play maybe more and be important here but I think that is not the most important. He decided to come because Chelsea is a project for him and improve his game and going to be more involved in every single game.
"I think the quality is there, it’s great potential and of course now he needs to settle here and prove and show that he’s better than his teammates and to play. It’s hard to fight for his place."
Palmer has certainly made quite the impression since joining Chelsea and Pochettino will be hoping to see more from his 'very own Mahrez'.
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