Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka has raved about one Chelsea player ahead of his team’s trip to Stamford Bridge later this month.
After the international break, the Blues return with an away fixture against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, followed by a Champions League tie at home to Ajax.
On 25 October, Enzo Maresca’s side then host Sunderland in the league.
It has been an impressive start for newly-promoted Sunderland, collecting 11 points from their opening seven top-flight matches. In fact, Chelsea are only above them on goal difference in the league table.
Cole Palmer after being substituted during Chelsea against Manchester United in the Premier League.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Granit Xhaka amazed by Cole Palmer
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 33, has shared that he’s a huge admirer of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
Xhaka told Sky Sports Premier League: “He’s amazing. How much he improved after his move from Man City to Chelsea, unbelievable, he’s the key man in my opinion, he finds the spaces between the lines, he finds the last pass and he can score as well himself.”
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Xhaka should be glad to hear that Palmer is expected to miss Chelsea’s next four games with his groin injury, which includes the Sunderland fixture.
Darren Bent called Palmer Chelsea’s “most influential” player, so expects there to be a drop-off whenever he’s not on the pitch.
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
101 45 29 2
Cole Palmer’s record at Chelsea
Since he joined in 2023, Palmer has become the talisman at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old Englishman has established himself as one of the elite attacking midfielders in the world.
Granit Xhaka playing for Sunderland against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
How Chelsea can cope without Cole Palmer
Of course, Palmer’s absence will be felt because of how much he offers as a goalscoring and creative threat. They do have some excellent alternatives, though.
Enzo Fernandez, who’s already scored three Premier League goals this campaign, seems to do well whenever he operates higher up the pitch as a number 10. Admittedly, Fernandez may miss one Chelsea game because of a late return from international duty with Argentina.
Elsewhere, on-loan playmaker Facundo Buonanotte can certainly bring a similar style to Palmer with his movement and cultured left foot.
Even though Joao Pedro thrives deeper as well, it looks like he’s the main centre-forward option while Liam Delap is out injured.