Chelsea are in exceptional form, securing their fourth consecutive Premier League victory with a thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. The Blues made a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat their fierce rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernández scored brilliant long-range goals, while Cole Palmer kept his cool with two second-half penalties. Notably, Palmer’s second penalty was a cheeky Panenka, demonstrating his confidence and skill.
Cole Palmer’s Penalty Record
This performance highlighted Palmer’s impressive penalty record, as he has now converted all 12 of his Premier League penalties, surpassing Yaya Touré’s previous record. His perfect record solidifies his status as one of the league’s most reliable penalty takers, with his Panenka providing a memorable moment in achieving this milestone.
Chelsea’s Title Hopes
This win lifts Chelsea above Arsenal and Manchester City in the league standings, positioning them as Liverpool’s closest rivals. With only four points separating them from the leaders (though Liverpool have a game in hand), Chelsea are firmly in the title race. Their upcoming matches against Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Wolves suggest they have the potential to continue their strong run.
Cole Palmer: A Rising Talent
Jamie Carragher praised Palmer after the match on Sky Sports, calling him the standout player in the Premier League since the start of last season. Palmer’s brace against Tottenham brought his total direct goal contributions to a league-leading figure, surpassing Mohamed Salah, though Palmer has played three more matches.
Real Madrid’s Interest
Palmer’s standout performances have caught the attention of Real Madrid, with reports from Spain indicating that club president Florentino Pérez is impressed by his abilities and sees him as a future global star. Chelsea signed Palmer for £42.5 million, a fee that now seems like a bargain. The CIES Football Observatory estimates his market value to be around £96 million, though this may still be on the conservative side.
Palmer recently signed a two-year contract extension in August, keeping him at Chelsea until 2033. This means any potential transfer would demand a hefty fee, and his price tag could pose a challenge for any suitors.
Could This Be Another Hazard Situation?
Real Madrid has a history of acquiring top Premier League players, including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale. However, Chelsea fans might worry about Palmer’s future, given the memory of Eden Hazard’s £88.5 million move to Madrid, which, despite high hopes, was marred by injuries. Hazard retired at 32, having scored only seven goals in 76 appearances for Real.
If Real Madrid were to pursue Palmer, they would aim to avoid a repeat of the Hazard situation. Unlike Hazard, Palmer is still early in his career and has shown consistent growth and reliability. Given Madrid’s recent investments in young players like Aurélien Tchouaméni, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, they may be willing to break their transfer record to sign the Englishman. However, persuading Chelsea to part with their rising star would not be an easy task.
