Statistical Player of the Month: Cole Palmer – Is Chelsea Cultivating a New Lampard?

Cole Palmer’s (21) transfer last summer turned heads across England. Firstly, it marked the rare occasion of a talented footballer moving from one prestigious club to another. Secondly, Palmer’s switch from Manchester City, a club steeped in success, to a rebuilding Chelsea raised eyebrows.

Nevertheless, it appears that Palmer’s decision was vindicated. Having spent two years at Manchester City, pleading for more playing time, he found himself in a new environment at Chelsea. During his tenure at City, he had only managed three starts. Yet, in London, he has thrived. With 20 goals to his name (nine from penalties), he ranks as the Premier League’s second-highest scorer.

April witnessed Palmer’s meteoric rise, earning him the title of Player of the Month by data analytics firm Opta in collaboration with Flashscore.

Palmer’s emergence has been the revelation of the English season. Only Erling Haaland surpasses him in the Premier League’s scoring charts by a single goal. Remarkably, Palmer is also the youngest player among Europe’s top five leagues to notch at least 20 goals this season.

Despite critics pointing out his nine penalty goals, Palmer’s mental fortitude and Mauricio Pochettino’s trust in him shine through. Such high-pressure situations are typically entrusted to seasoned campaigners, highlighting Palmer’s maturity.

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In April, he notched five of his seven goals from open play, with a memorable four-goal haul against Everton. This feat places him in elite company alongside Chelsea legends Frank Lampard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Gianluca Vialli.

Moreover, Palmer’s hat-trick against Manchester United made him the first Chelsea player to achieve two hat-tricks in a single month. Such feats were previously accomplished only by Didier Drogba, a bonafide striker.

Beyond his scoring prowess, Palmer boasts remarkable efficiency, converting 58% of his shots on target. His 22 total shots last month topped the charts, reminiscent of revered English midfielders like Steven Gerrard and Lampard, both of whom graced Chelsea with their goal-scoring prowess.

Standing tall at 189 cm, Palmer exhibits a penchant for finding space between the opposition’s midfield and defense, from where he launches his incisive attacks down the right flank or through the center. His finishing versatility is evident, with goals coming from his left foot, right foot, and even his head.

Palmer’s ability to strike from various distances underscores his dynamism. Only Phil Foden, his contemporary, has surpassed his tally of three goals from outside the box this season.

Among players with over 500 minutes in the ongoing Premier League campaign, Palmer ranks third in minutes per goal, trailing only Alexander Isak and Haaland. Impressively, he is involved in goal-scoring moves every 75 minutes, outperforming stalwarts like Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.