Forward has scored nine and assisted six for second-placed Blues this campaign
He moved from Man City in summer 2023 and was Chelsea's star man last year
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By SAM LAWLEY and PA SPORT STAFF
Published: 11:58 EST, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 11:58 EST, 6 December 2024
Cole Palmer has revealed his ultimate career ambition as the Chelsea star continues his sensational form for Enzo Maresca's resurgent side.
The forward swapped Manchester City for the Blues in the summer of 2023 and has been the club's standout performer in the last 18 months.
The Englishman scored 25 goals and created 15 assists in 45 matches for the west London outfit in what was a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign.
He made headlines during the summer too as he starred for his national team at Euro 2024 despite being left out of the starting 11 by Gareth Southgate, scoring a wonderful equaliser in the final against Spain which eventually resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
Palmer has gone from strength to strength this season, bagging nine goals and six assists in just 16 games with Chelsea racing to second place in the Premier League.
Now the 22-year-old has revealed the lofty target he has set himself in an interview with the Men In Blazers podcast.
Cole Palmer has revealed that his career ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or
He scored a belter for England in the final of Euro 2024, only for Spain to clinch a 2-1 victory
He said: 'Ballon d'Or, that's what everyone wants to win. I wish.'
Palmer finished 25th in the race to be named the best player in the world for 2024, with Manchester City's Rodri claiming the prize.
The 22-year-old has set the Premier League alight since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024 and is eyeing the individual gong.
The England international said that finishing in the top four and claiming silverware would be a good season for an in-form Chelsea side.
He added: 'Champions League would be a success, and hopefully winning a trophy.'
Palmer's life has changed since he burst onto the scene with Chelsea and England as he gets recognised everywhere, recently at a McDonald's Drive-Thru, where staff asked him to pose for pictures.
And he says the thing he misses most about normal life is the chance to play football with his mates.
'Yeah, it (my life) has changed massively,' he said. 'You can't go to certain places because you'll get pestered and you can't be bothered with it because you just want to chill.
Manchester City's Rodri scooped up the Ballon d'Or this year with Palmer coming in 25th place
Palmer scored yet another goal for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca's side beat Southampton 5-1
Palmer was spotted at a McDonald's drive-through during the November international break
Palmer was also spotted at Edgeley Park in a ski mask watching Stockport play Wrexham
'When you go to a shop round the corner you might think, 'Oh someone is watching me' or something.
'(I miss) going to play five-a-side. I swear that's actually true. Yeah, just going to five-a-side with mates and playing.'
Palmer's cult status has been enhanced by his aforementioned 'cold' celebration, with the move being replicated far and wide across professional and grassroots football.
And Palmer explained that seeing his celebration gain wider recognition is something that he enjoys.
'It's a good feeling when I see it,' he added. 'Especially when I see random kids in random places doing it after scoring in grassroots football or something like that so it's nice.
'It feels like that (was not me not so long ago).'
Palmer, who scored in Chelsea's 5-1 rout of Southampton on Wednesday, is back in action on Sunday when the Blues face Tottenham.
ChelseaCole Palmer