Decoding Cole Palmer's stats in his debut season with Chelsea
Cole Palmer signed a two-year contract extension at Chelsea until 2033. He moved to the London club from Mancester City in a £42.5m deal last summer. Palmer is now on a nine-year deal with improved terms. He had a defining debut season for the club, breaking a host of records. Palmer, who represented England at Euro 2024, is one of the hottest prospects.
Why does this story matter?
The Blues have been been tying down young players to long deals and rewarded the England international duly. Palmer is Chelsea's main player and the club would be keen to build the side around him, Palmer, who is on the shortlist for the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards, claimed the Premier League Young Player of the Season award for 2023-24.
Palmer was involved in 40 goals for Chelsea last season
Palmer clocked 25 goals and made 15 assists in 45 appearances during his first season at Chelsea. He was involved in 33 goals Premier League goals. He scored 22 goals and made 11 assists from 33 appearances. Palmer overcame Eden Hazard's Premier League record for Chelsea in terms of goals involvement in a season. Hazard scored 16 goals and made 15 assists in 2018-19.
Breaking down his Premier League 2023-24 season in stats
Palmer made 34 Premier League appearances last season (1 for City). As per Squawka comparison matrix (data by Opta), Palmer clocked 46 shots on target from 76 attempts (excluding blocks). 19 of his goals came from inside the box out of which nine were penalties. He created 67 chances and had a pass accuracy of 83.33%. He had 140 touches in the opposition box.
Palmer attained these Premier League feats for Chelsea
As per Opta, Palmer opened the scoring nine times in Premier League 2023-24 season. It's the joint-most by a Chelsea player in a single campaign along with Gianfranco Zola (1998-99), Didier Drogba (2006-07) and Hazard (2014-15). Palmer equalled Frank Lampard's tally of 22 goals in 2009-10. Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (23 in 2000-01 and 2001-02) and Drogba (29 in 2009-10) have scored more.
Palmer can win the Golden Boot award in 2024-25 season
Palmer is one of the contenders to win the Premier League 2024-25 season Golden Boot award. Palmer, who finished as the 2nd-highest scorer last season, would be battling it out with Erling Haaland, who has won successive Golden Boot awards since joining Man City.
