Rio Ferdinand has been comparing Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Palmer and Foden could find themselves competing against each other for a spot in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Palmer is also facing competition from Jarrod Bowen, with both attackers able to play on the right.
All three are talented Premier League stars. However, out of Palmer and Foden, Ferdinand thinks the former is definitely the better footballer in one area.
England duo Phil Foden and Cole Palmer celebrating
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand thinks Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is a better passer than Manchester City’s Phil Foden
When it comes to passing range, Ferdinand believes Palmer edges his England rival and former City teammate.
Speaking about the two on his YouTube channel, the Manchester United legend said: “I think again Palmer’s another one with like how smooth he is. The ability to turn again in those half spaces. I think he’d probably be the closest to Phil Foden in that sense. Getting on the half turn and being able to thread someone in.
“His passing over different ranges is better than Phil’s. I think he’s got more of a range from 30 yards to four or five yards. He’s got it on lock and he scores.”
Tuchel is going to have some big decisions to make ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the German possessing so much talent in attack.
Former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew recently predicted Tuchel’s starting XI for the tournament, omitting Palmer.
Chelsea’s talisman has not actually played for England since the summer because of a groin injury.
He is probably going to need the perfect Premier League campaign now to earn a place in Tuchel’s squad.
Cole Palmer replaces Phil Foden for England
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
What the numbers say about Cole Palmer’s and Phil Foden’s passing
Statistics back up the point that Ferdinand is making about Palmer and Foden.
For example, according to WhoScored, Palmer played 2.5 long balls on average in the Premier League last season. Foden’s average was 1.2.
Palmer also progresses the ball better. As per FBref, he is completing 6.12 progressive passes per 90, which puts him in the 92nd percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers.
Foden, in contrast, ranks in the 74th percentile, making 4.90 progressive passes per 90.
The 25-year-old was once the most talented English player in the Premier League, but Palmer has now overtaken him, at least in the area of passing.
If Tuchel has to choose between Palmer and Foden, he should go for the Chelsea star.