Cole Palmer is being hailed as a future global football star after his standout performance helped Chelsea defeat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The 22-year-old midfielder played a key role in Chelsea’s strong display, contributing to the opening goal in the early minutes. Alongside teammates Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto, Palmer helped set up Enzo Fernandez for a composed finish that gave Chelsea the lead.
Palmer’s all-around performance drew praise from fans and pundits alike, with statistics backing up his influence on the match. Following the game, Palmer gave a candid interview where he responded to online critics.
Palmer speaks out after scoring
Speaking to Sky Sports, Palmer addressed the criticism he has faced online, describing social media as full of “trolls and idiots.”
“Stuff happens,” he said. “It gives me more fight to do well, not just for myself, but for my team. Social media nowadays is full of idiots, the trolls and whatever. I don’t pay any attention to that.”
He added, “To score today, I’m happy, but I’ve got to keep improving. If you’re getting chances and not scoring, you’re letting your team down. I feel like I’m mentally strong. I’ve had it all the time growing up. I feel pride in helping the team, and if I’m not doing that, I’m not happy.”
Palmer also credited his midfield partner Moises Caicedo, saying, “When you have him next to you, it’s a dream.”
Jermaine Jenas: “He’s carrying the club.”
Former England midfielder and TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas was impressed by Palmer’s honesty and leadership.
“I loved every word of that interview,” Jenas said on talkSPORT. “He’s 22 and he’s been carrying that football club on his back this season.”
Jenas praised Palmer’s maturity and willingness to admit where he needed to improve.
“Sometimes you get these polished interviews that don’t say anything real. With Palmer, you could tell he cares. He wants to be better. That tells me he’s got everything it takes to become one of the best players on the planet.”
Jenas concluded, “The key is knowing when you haven’t been good enough—and he’s fixing that. He’s getting himself back on track.”
Palmer’s performance against Liverpool and his mature response afterward have only added to the growing belief that he could become one of football’s brightest stars.
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