Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is currently the talk of the football world.
The midfielder played a crucial role in the London club winning the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday as the 23-year-old scored a brace and assisted the other goal in a 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Man City fans are in agreement that Palmer leaving for Chelsea was the right choice for his career, as the Englishman may still be waiting for his big break at the Etihad Stadium had he not left for Stamford Bridge two summers ago.
Selling Palmer might go down as one of the biggest mistakes the Manchester club has ever made; however, this time last year, a City star was the talk of the football world, and Darren Bent thinks he is better than the Chelsea player.
Rodri in action for Manchester City vs Juventus.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Darren Bent believes Rodri is a better player than Cole Palmer
Rodri’s 23/24 campaign was one to remember for the midfielder as the Spanish star won the Premier League with Man City before lifting the Euro 2024 trophy with his country.
This was a campaign that was much more impressive than the season Palmer has just had, which resulted in a Ballon d’Or win for Rodri, and therefore, talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent still thinks the Man City star is better than the Englishman, despite missing the majority of last season.
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“I got Rodri in there, of course. Incredible, Ballon d’Or winner,” Bent said on talkSPORT when asked to pick his top 10 players in the world, a list he left Palmer out of.
“Rodri for a number of years now, has been incredible for Manchester City; he plays a lot of games as well, not only for City, but for Spain. How good was he in the Euros before he got injured? So Rodri’s in there.”
Despite Rodri’s injury last season, this should not be a surprise to anyone, as if the Spaniard can return to his 23/24 season form next season, Man City have the best midfield player in the world back amongst their ranks.
How Rodri compares to Cole Palmer
It is hard to compare Rodri and Palmer as they play in different midfield roles, while also being at different stages in their careers; however, recent seasons have shown that the Spaniard is a better player than the Chelsea star.
The Man City ace has always stepped up for Pep Guardiola’s team, and without the 29-year-old last season, the Manchester club’s season was a disaster. The same cannot be said about Palmer, who underperformed throughout the second half of the previous campaign.
Player Games Goals Assists Minutes
Cole Palmer (24/25) 52 18 14 4247
Rodri (23/24) 50 9 15 4327
Even the numbers back up Rodri, as during the players’ last full seasons, the Spaniard’s stats were not far off the Chelsea star, despite playing in a deeper role, while also not having the luxury of playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League and the new edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Palmer may reach Rodri’s level one day, but given that level is a Ballon d’Or winner, that is a big ask.
As for the present day, there should be no doubts over whether the Man City star is better than Chelsea’s main man.