FEW players have amassed such staggering stats in the Prem so quickly as Cole Palmer.
And now it can be said few have won such a prestigious honour at international level from such little action.
Chelsea’s attacking midfielder has been named England player of the year – after just two starts since his Three Lions debut in November 2023.
Many fans found the award jaw-dropping – reckoning runner-up Jude Bellingham or third-placed Bukayo Saka should have won it.
Yet the honour, for 2023-24, was decided BY SUPPORTERS.
Palmer has won nine caps – including five off the bench at the Euros when playing just 145 minutes in Germany as England reached the final.
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His peak moment so far was a spectacular strike off the bench in that showpiece clash, an equaliser that offered brief hope before Mikel Oyarzabal fired a deserved late winner for Spain.
In all, for the Three Lions, Palmer has scored twice in nine matches, albeit seven of those appearances coming as sub.
In contrast, Arsenal winger Saka has been a consistent menace for England, while Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham often reached lofty heights in the past year, despite a mixed Euro 2024.
However, at Prem level, Palmer has notched 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 matches.
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That includes a blistering start to this term, netting six times and teeing up five goals in seven games.
It means Palmer’s England nomination has divided fans – many believing the 22-year-old should have been used more by now-departed England boss Gareth Southgate, but also wondering how their fellow supporters rewarded him above big-name regulars.
One said: “Bukayo Saka was robbed. What did Cole Palmer do that Saka didn’t?”
Another wrote: “How is this possible when he didn’t even start in any single match in Euros??? England led by politics and PR games again.”
A third posted: “Weird as he barely played at the Euros. I’m not saying Palmer isn’t a good player but for a year we’ve had the Euros he can’t be the POTY when Southgate rarely played him.”
And a fourth insisted: “Saka did a better job than Cole Palmer, he should be getting the men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023-24. If for any reason Saka wasn’t the right person, the next persons that come to mind are Bellingham & Harry Kane. This is ridiculous.”
But a few fans looked to the Palmer who could be set for a wonderful winter at club and international level – rather than the one who had to rely on England cameos over the last 12 months.
Such supporters argued he was “the best player in the world!!!!” and a “Generational talent”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
