Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates against Tottenham
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates against Tottenham
There doesn't seem much Cole Palmer can't do right now. The Chelsea forward has had a year to remember, establishing himself as one of Chelsea's key men and becoming a regular for England since swapping Manchester City for Stamford Bridge.
His double in Enzo Maresca's side 4-2 comeback victory over Tottenham on Sunday took him to 11 goals in all competitions for the Blues this season, on the back of 25 last season. It's not just goals, of course, with the 22-year-old contributing an incredible 21 assists already in a Chelsea shirt.
In fact, he has now joined an elite band of players, becoming one of the fourth fastest player to reach 50 goal involvements for one club in the Premier League era. It's taken Palmer just 48 games for Chelsea to reach that landmark - but he's still someway behind former Newcastle United striker Andy Cole.
Cole hit the 50-goal involvement target for the Magpies in just 43 games, during that remarkable 1993-94 season as Kevin Keegan's side took the Premier League by storm. He would go on to score 41 goals in all competitions that season, in a lethal partnership with Peter Beardsley.
Even Cole lags behind the leader Erling Haaland, with the Manchester City striker taking just 39 games to reach 50 goal involvements for Pep Guardiola's men, while United legend Alan Shearer is fifth on the list, but for his time at Blackburn.
Liverpool's Mo Salah (46 games) and Manchester United hero Eric Cantona (55 games) make up the elite top six. Palmer won more praise last weekend, with Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher suggesting he has even done more for the club than Chelsea legends Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard.
"When you think of Chelsea's flair players like Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, I think Palmer has done more in 18 months than Zola did, and Zola is one of Chelsea's greatest ever players," Carragher said. "He's on the same level as Hazard, and that came over four or five years. If he takes Chelsea to a title then he'd go down as one of their greatest ever players if he keeps doing what he's doing. He's a special player."
Fewest matches to 50 goal involvements for one club
Erling Haaland, Manchester City: 39
Andy Cole, Newcastle United: 43
Mo Salah, Liverpool: 46
Cole Palmer, Chelsea: 48
Alan Shearer, Blackburn: 54
Eric Cantona, Manchester United: 55