He must have been good!’ – Cole Palmer gives hilarious response to comparisons with ‘FIFA icon’ Gianfranco Zola after firing Chelsea to crucial victory over Newcastle

Another standout performance from the England star saw fans and pundits compare Palmer to Chelsea legend Zola, who was watching on as the Blues beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday. The 22-year-old gave his reaction to the comparisons, admitting he has used the ex-Italy star’s card on FIFA.

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  WHAT PALMER SAID

  Speaking to Sky Sports, Palmer said when quizzed on the Zola comparisons: “I know he’s an icon on FIFA so he must have been good. I didn’t really watch him play but everyone says he was a great player.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Palmer has earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Zola after a stellar start to the 2024-25 season at Chelsea, which has seen him pick up from where he left off last term. With 12 goal contributions to his name already, the England international is on track to star as one of the Premier League’s top players once again, having scooped the PFA Young Player of the Year award in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?

  After guiding Chelsea to another win under Enzo Maresca, Palmer is clearly thriving after being left out of the club’s last Europa Conference League squad. The extra rest is coming in handy and Palmer could be involved again when the Blues travel to Tyneside for a rematch against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.