Not many players in the Premier League can claim to have had a better season than Chelsea star, Cole Palmer.
The 22-year-old was brave when he decided to leave his comfort zone at Manchester City where he had just won the Treble under Pep Guardiola.
That same fearless nature transcended into his game at Chelsea and he produced performances none of them probably expected.
So much so that even Guardiola is now probably wondering why Manchester City let Cole Palmer go.
Only Erling Haaland scored more goals than the Englishman, who bagged 22 and also helped himself to 11 assists and it meant no other player in the Premier League was involved in more goal involvements this season.
You have to wonder why Palmer played a total of zero minutes the last time he was on international duty with England and you have to question his role ahead of Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate selected Palmer for his England training squad ahead of the summer tournament, with Reece James left out.
Paul Merson was discussing what England need to get over the line to win their first major tournament since 1966 after losing the final to Italy last time out.
The one word Merson used was the ‘X-Factor’ and he feels someone like Palmer has it in bucket loads, as he told Sky Sports News (21/05/24 at 1:55 pm).
But the former Arsenal man, who is a boyhood Chelsea fan, added that it’s ‘ridiculous’ that some are suggesting Palmer won’t start for his country at the Euros.
There is serious competition ahead of the left-footer, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, James Maddison and Jarrod Bowen all looking to start ahead of him.
Cole Palmer at Euro 2024
“We need the X-Factor,” said Merson about England needing to progress in tournament football.
“That’s what we haven’t had. I don’t think we have had enough of the X-Factor in tournament football. We are talking about Cole Palmer might not start. I mean it’s ridiculous really, isn’t it?!”
Cole Palmer without Mauricio Pochettino
If Palmer wants to know what Chelsea are all about, he got the reality of the whole situation on Tuesday when Mauricio Pochettino left.
When the news broke that he had departed, John Terry wasn’t shy in sharing his opinion and what the owners might do next.
READ MORE: Exclusive: Newcastle and Chelsea eye La Liga star with £86m release clause, club ready to sell
You even heard from inside the dressing room, it felt like Nicolas Jackson was an unhappy man at the call to allow Pochettino to go.
Despite Chelsea ending the season strongly and finishing sixth, it now just puts the club on the back foot again as they make another change in the dugout.
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