Cole Palmer bags Premier League Young Player of the Season award
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer has won the Premier League Young Player of the Season award after a stellar debut campaign for the Blues.
Palmer beat out competition from Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City), Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), William Saliba (Arsenal), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), and Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur).
The 22-year-old was a top candidate for the prize after bagging 22 goals and ten assists (17 big chances created) in 33 league appearances this term for the West London club.
His output is a major reason why the club is dreaming of a return to Europe next season.
Palmer’s stock has risen considerably since his £42.5 million move from champions Manchester City last summer. He has been arguably the most consistent player in the top flight.
The Wythenshawe-born star has bagged nine goals and two assists in his past nine games for Chelsea. Apart from the YPOTS award which he has won, he is also up for the Premier League Player of the Season prize.
It is hard to pick out a poor performance from the City Academy graduate since his move to West London. He absolutely deserves the accolade to crown an outstanding campaign.
Chelsea must focus on putting the right supporting cast around Palmer for next season. Signing a reliable finisher up top is essential.
The Blues must add attackers more potent than Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling. This has to be the challenge for the sporting directors rather than signing every emerging South American talent.
Equally important is managerial stability. Despite a challenging debut season, manager Mauricio Pochettino deserves a chance to build on his foundation.
Granting him time and bringing him his transfer targets will empower him to get the best out of Palmer and Chelsea as a whole.