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Cole Palmer – Time to shine on the world stage
As Chelsea prepare for their opening game of the Club World Cup on Tuesday night, 8pm KO BST, live and free on DAZN, DAZN News's Ross Heppenstall looks at the opportunity for Cole Palmer to further strengthen his reputation as one of the planet's greatest young talents, a year before potentially starring for England at the World Cup in the US and Mexico...
It is an intriguing thought. If Cole Palmer can inspire England to a European Championship final without actually starting a game, what might he be capable of at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup?
The gifted Chelsea playmaker is gearing up for a tournament that will see Palmer introduce himself to an American audience ahead of next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But it goes deeper.
This is a golden opportunity for Palmer to reaffirm his status as arguably the most expansively-talented English player of his generation.
By starring in the biggest and most lucrative Club World Cup yet, he will look to recapture his best form on a global stage after a mixed second season at Chelsea.
Palmer’s form in his 2023-24 debut campaign at Stamford Bridge – following his £42.5million arrival from Manchester City – was nothing short of sensational.
He racked up incredible figures of 27 goals and 15 assists before helping England to reach the final of Euro 2024.
Now, after an indifferent 2024-25 campaign for Chelsea which ended on a glorious high with Champions League qualification and him playing a starring role in the 4-1 Conference League final win over Real Betis, the Club World Cup is the perfect platform for Palmer to show Thomas Tuchel why he should be starting for England heading into a World Cup year.
The tournament is more prestigious than ever given the prize money on offer.
For the players themselves, it is a chance to show how good they actually are when pitted against the best of the best.
Palmer will surely relish that challenge of helping Enzo Maresca’s side to lift the trophy.
When Maresca, then newly-appointed as Chelsea boss, took his squad Stateside for a pre-season tour last summer, Palmer was back in Surrey.
He had been given time off after playing for England at Euro 2024, a tournament which saw him enhance his reputation.
In the semi-final against Holland, Palmer came on and teed up fellow substitute Ollie Watkins for a last-minute winner.
Gareth Southgate again brought Palmer on in the final, where he scored a brilliant equaliser, only for England to suffer familiar heartache as Spain ran out 2-1 winners in Berlin.
Palmer later spoke of his frustration at being reduced to a bit-part role which included 145 minutes – all as a substitute – during the tournament.
That was understandable, but Palmer started the 2024-25 campaign where he left off for England in Germany.
There was a stunning four-goal haul in the 4-2 home win against Brighton in September and a delightful brace in a thrilling 4-3 victory at Tottenham in December.
However, Palmer’s output in the second half of a campaign, which has seen Chelsea progress in the Europa Conference League, has fallen some way below his lofty standards.
Still, the Club World Club is now a fantastic opportunity for Palmer to reclaim centre stage, a role he seems born for.
Maresca recently remarked: “Cole Palmer is up there with the very best players who can produce something at any moment and create something out of nothing.
“He wasn’t with me on the USA tour last summer, so the Club World Cup will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to America.”
Cole Palmer’s career timeline
- Sep 2020 – Handed senior Manchester City debut in a 3-0 EFL Cup win at Burnley
- Aug 2021 – Makes Premier League debut in a 5-0 home win against Norwich
- Jul 2023 – Helps England Under-21s to Spain 1-0 in the European Under-21 Championship final on Saturday to lift the trophy for the first time in 39 years
- Sep 2023 — Signs for Chelsea from Manchester City for an initial £40million.
- Nov 2023 – Makes senior England bow in a 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley
- May 2024 – Finishes debut campaign at Chelsea with total of 27 goals and 15 assists across all competitions and wins the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
- July 2024 – Scores for England in their 201 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
- Aug 2024 – Signs two-year contract extension to keep him at Chelsea until 2033
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