Manchester United have been linked to Cole Palmer this season but there are some red flags that Ineos must be aware of.
During the January transfer window, there were surprising reports that Cole Palmer is unsettled at Chelsea, and that naturally led to transfer links to Manchester United.
Given that Palmer is a boyhood United fan, it is a move that many could see happening, even if not in 2026.
United are committed to Bruno Fernandes, but many see Palmer as a long-term Fernandes replacement at Old Trafford. Both play naturally as a No.10 in an advanced role, but there is one glaring difference.
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Cole Palmer is not even close to Bruno Fernandes’ creativity
This season, Fernandes has reached new heights with his creativity and assists, but ever since his arrival in Manchester, Fernandes has dominated chance creation stats across Europe.
Fernandes is chasing the Premier League assist record this season having already set up 16 goals for his United teammates.
Cole Palmer may have narrowly outscored Fernandes this season with his 10 Premier League goals to Fernandes’ eight. But the assist head-to-head is not even close.
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Palmer has shockingly only registered one assist in the Premier League this season, compared to Fernandes’ league-topping 16.
As per Squawka, Fernandes has created 101 chances in the Premier League this season – 16 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
When United inevitably have to find a replacement for Fernandes, they will need a superstar with more creativity than Palmer.
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Palmer vs Fernandes
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Cole Palmer’s assist record at Chelsea
Fernandes recently reached 100 assists for United, meaning he hit 100 goals and assists quicker than even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi did for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
To reach that milestone in just over 300 matches is remarkable, and while Palmer’s figures at Chelsea are impressive, his assists are nowhere near the same level.
READ MORE: Forget Cole Palmer, Ineos already know their Bruno Fernandes replacement at Man Utd
In 122 appearances for Chelsea, Palmer has registered 32 assists.
Palmer’s best Premier League season in terms of assists came in the 2023/24 season when he made 11 assists and scored 22 goals.
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