Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images
Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
There were some rumours last season about Palmer being unsettled and unhappy at Chelsea. According to journalist Simon Phillips, that was very well the case as the Englishman weighed up a Chelsea exit.
However, Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the club offered Palmer a “significant pay rise”, which seems to have convinced him to remain at Stamford Bridge. If Palmer did want to leave the Blues during the summer, a transfer would not have been straightforward.
The England international was already on a long-term contract, while figures at the club had no intention of selling him. It is thought that Joe Shields in particular was against selling Palmer, and you suspect that he was not the only Chelsea director who took that stance.
Again, Palmer is Chelsea’s best player and has started this season strongly. In six Premier League games, he has scored two goals and provided three assists.
Alongside Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers, Palmer is now part of arguably the strongest attack in English football. There is no doubt that Xabi Alonso will be delighted with the output he is getting from his forward line.
Pedro bagged a brace in the Bournemouth triumph, while Rogers also managed to get his name on the scoresheet. It was his fourth goal since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in the summer.