Cole Palmer and Foden to face each other at Etihad.
Image credit: Premier League
As Chelsea prepares for a high-stakes clash against Manchester City, one player is at the center of attention—Cole Palmer.
The 22-year-old has become Chelsea’s key playmaker since his £42.5 million move from City last season, proving himself as a pivotal figure in Mauricio Pochettino’s evolving squad.
With goals and assists flowing, Palmer has only been outperformed by Mohamed Salah in terms of direct goal contributions since joining Chelsea.
Meanwhile, his former teammate, Phil Foden, is only now rediscovering his form after a slow start to the campaign.
Palmer’s versatility and intelligence on the pitch have been crucial to Chelsea’s attacking play.
While he started off predominantly playing on the right, he has since adopted a more fluid role, roaming across the frontline to find pockets of space.
Opposing teams have taken notice—he is now being man-marked more frequently, drawing 2.1 fouls per 90 minutes compared to just 0.9 last season.
Cole Palmer and Foden on international duty
Image credit: Cole Palmer
Despite this increased defensive attention, Palmer continues to shine. His ability to handle pressure was evident in last season’s thrilling 4-4 draw against City, where he confidently buried a stoppage-time penalty.
His ice-cold mentality and leadership have made him Chelsea’s go-to player in crucial moments.
