Cole Palmer etched his name in history during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against reigning champions Liverpool by successfully converting a penalty at Stamford Bridge.
After a three-month goal drought, the English forward returned to form and expressed his determination to prove his critics wrong.
The 22-year-old is also driven to become Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League, having netted 37 goals in the top tier, which places him 10th in the club’s historical scoring list, tied with Brazilian winger Willian.
The England international, who has earned 11 caps, joined the West London club from Manchester City two summers ago and continues to demonstrate that Pep Guardiola erred in letting him go.
With a nine-year contract signed in August 2024, fans are optimistic that he will keep scoring until 2033.
Palmer’s feat has come after just 67 games, and he boasts the best minutes per goal record of any player in the top 10 (150′).
To put it in perspective, it took former striker Nicolas Anelka 125 games to bag 68 goals, and the Englishman will soon be moving above the French icon.
There was excitement surrounding the attacking midfielder’s £42.5m capture in the summer of 2023, but nobody envisioned he’d be as potent as he has been.
He quickly took on the West London giants’ talismanic responsibilities under Mauricio Pochettino, netting 22 goals in 34 league games during the 2023-24 season.
The City academy graduate didn’t score a single Premier League goal while at the Etihad amid struggles to break into Guardiola’s first team.
His sophomore campaign at Stamford Bridge has come with trials and tribulations, and he’s not been as relied upon during Enzo Maresca’s tenure.
Palmer started strongly with 14 goals in 21 outings until mid-January when he came off the boil and endured a three-month goal drought.
But his display in the victory against Liverpool suggested he’s back and better than ever, and his penalty put him up to 15 goals in 34 games.
Cole Palmer’s Premier League StatisticsClub:ChelseaMan CityMinutes Played:5,548’490’Appearances:6719Goals:370Assists:201