Gary Lineker compares Chelsea superstar to Lionel Messi

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Dec 2024 11:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Gary Lineker has compared Cole Palmer to Lionel Messi after another magical performance by the Chelsea star.

Palmer produced a brilliant display in Chelsea’s 4-3 win at Tottenham in the London derby on Sunday.

He scored twice from the penalty spot and also delivered a sumptuous pass for Enzo Fernandez’s goal.

And Lineker was so impressed by Palmer that he even compared him to football legend Messi.

What did Lineker say?

“Chelsea really dominated to be honest,” Linekere said on The Rest is Football.

“Spurs still had the odd chance on the counter attack, but Cole Palmer. The little assist that he got, he came in from the touchline, it was almost Messi-esque.

“And then he scored two penalties, the second was a little Panenka which was beautifully taken. What a talent.”

The 22-year-old left Man City for Chelsea for €47 million in the summer of 2023 and he has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League since his move to Stamford Bridge.

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This season, Palmer has been in inspired form, delivering 11 goals and six assists in the Premier League to lead Chelsea up to second place in the table.

Palmer now has a brilliant 50 goal contributions in 48 games since joining Chelsea, while he was recently named England Men’s Player of the Year for 2023-24.

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City are reported to regret the decision to sell Palmer and wish to bring him back to the Etihad.

Spanish outlet Fichajes recently reported that Man City are willing to pay as much as €150m to bring Palmer back to the club next year.

He played just 41 times for City’s first-team during his time at City, with only 13 of those appearances coming as starts.

Real Madrid have also been linked in recent days with making a move for Palmer next year.

He has been capped 11 times by England, scoring two goals.

Palmer scored England’s equaliser in the Euro 2024 final but Spain went on to win 2-1.