Palmer reflects on a stunning breakout season

Having joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Palmer has enjoyed a prolific campaign in west London. 25 goals and 15 assists later, the 22-year-old has firmly cemented his status as a fan favourite among the Stamford Bridge faithful as he helped guide the Blues back into Europe.

Scooping plenty of plaudits and awards along the way, including the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year gong and our own Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year prizes, it’s fair to say that Palmer has enjoyed a breakout season in Blue.

Reflecting on his year, Palmer is pleased with how his season has panned out, but he also emphasised the need for further development to achieve more consistency.

‘Personally, it’s been a very good season for me, but overall for the team it has been a little bit inconsistent,’ Palmer opened.

‘We are learning and growing, and I think we will get to the level we need to be soon. I’ve enjoyed it. I think if we can get the consistency we’ll be really good next season.

‘I didn’t really have targets, but I had something in my head that if I did play then I would like 10 goals and 10 assists. That was after I started playing because I just wanted to play.’

Speaking specifically about his stand-out moments this season, Cole pointed to his first strike against Everton – which was nominated for the PL’s Goal of the Season – and his last-gasp winner against Manchester United.

He explained: ‘My favourite goal in terms of skill is probably my first Everton goal. There was loads of space and then I saw Jarrad Branthwaite come at me fast so I nutmegged him, did a little flick, set it to Nico [Jackson] and then first timed it. That was a good goal that one.

‘For the emotion and excitement, I would definitely say the Manchester United winner. It all started when Carney [Chukwuemeka] nearly scored and it went out for a corner. I then got the ball and no one was around me so I thought I would shoot on target because there were loads of people in the box, and then it went in.

‘I felt the stadium just erupt. That was probably my favourite goal. If I had to choose the Everton or Manchester United goal, I would choose the United one just because we hadn’t beaten United in how many years. It’s probably the best feeling I’ve felt in football. I had my mates in the crowd as well.’

Show-stopping moments such as those rightfully earned Palmer the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season prize, an award that our No. 20 was honoured to receive.

‘It was an amazing feeling to win such a prestigious award,’ Palmer added. ‘Many great young players have won it, so to win it myself was such a really good feeling.

‘I rang my mum and dad straight away. They were buzzing. Obviously, from last season it was a big decision to come here, not just for me, but for my family as well and thankfully it has paid off.

‘My friends have come down from Manchester for most games – I think they’ve only missed a couple this season. So a big shoutout to them as well because they have helped me a lot off the pitch.’

Cole is now excited for the summer and beyond, with the 22-year-old included in England’s 33-man provisional squad ahead of the European Championships in June.

He said: ‘I think England can win the Euros because we have an amazing team and some of the best players in the world – I think we have a good chance. We have a good set-up so hopefully, we can win it.

‘I didn’t expect this season to have gone as well as it has, but I’m just really thankful that it has. Let’s hope it can continue.’