Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea splashed out £40million on Palmer last summer given the attacker had only made 19 league appearances for boyhood club Manchester City up until that point.
But Palmer silenced his doubters with 22 goals and 11 assists across a phenomenal debut campaign at Stamford Bridge last term, which saw the 22-year-old named the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
And after a steady start to the 2024/25 season, the England international gave fans yet another reminder of his incredible talent with all four goals in the Blues’ 4-2 victory over Brighton on Saturday.
It was the first time in Premier League history that a player had netted four times before half-time and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca labelled Palmer best player in the division in the aftermath of the win.
‘He scored four but he also could have scored two or three more,’ Maresca said.
‘It’s important he stays hungry, ambitious and I know him from many years ago with the Under-23s at City and with the first-team.
‘What he was as a boy is exactly what he was three or four years ago. Goals, assists, best player of the Premier League – this doesn’t change the way he is.
‘He’s a humble guy and, for me, it’s the most important thing.
‘He’s a top player and today in football young players can change quick. Cole scores goals and never changes and this is the most important thing.
‘He’s special player, he’s a simple and humble guy. He doesn’t need to tell people how good he is because you can see it clearly.’
Asked whether he agreed with Maresca’s claim about Palmer being the Premier League’s best player, Neville told NBC Sports: ‘He’s not far off! I have to say that I was surprised last season.
‘I remember when Mohamed Salah scored those goals all those years ago and I thought, “He won’t repeat that in the second season, he won’t repeat that in the third season”, and Cole Palmer is just going and completely shocking me in terms of what he’s delivering.
‘I can’t believe the level that he’s getting to and to think that he wasn’t playing for England in the European Championship in the summer now just seems absolutely ridiculous.
‘And it seems even more ridiculous that Manchester City, who have been unbelievable in the transfer market, have let one of their own go.’
Chelsea sit fourth in the table after their defeat of Brighton, two points behind Palmer’s former side Manchester City, the reigning champions.
The west London giants do battle with Gent in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night and before returning to Premier League action at home to Nottingham Forest.
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