Bargain of the season! What was Cole Palmer's transfer fee?
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 13 Nov 2023 10:02 GMT
- 4 min read
Cole Palmer to Chelsea is already proving to be one of the best pieces of business completed in the 2023 summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has made a quick start at Stamford Bridge since completing a €47 million transfer from Manchester City in August and netted an equaliser against his former side in a thrilling 4-4 Premier League draw on Sunday.
Hours later, Palmer was called up to the England national team by Gareth Southgate for the first time in recognition of what has been a spectacular beginning to his time with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
MORE: 'Cole Palmer is who Chelsea thought Kai Havertz would be'
Chelsea have been dogged by signing young players who have not hit the ground running, yet Palmer has bucked that trend and looks to be a superstar for the future.
After 14 appearances, he has scored six goals and laid on four more assists, meaning he has had a decisive role to play every 88 minutes he’s taken to the field for the Blues.
MORE: Chelsea target scores AGAIN as transfer race hots up amid Real Madrid competition
This is an impressive rate of return and already offers Chelsea confidence that they have landed a gem.
A transfer fee of €47m is already starting to look a bargain, particularly as he replaced the comparatively ineffective Mason Mount, who departed to Manchester United for a far greater fee.
Why did Cole Palmer join Chelsea?
Palmer has said that he wanted to leave Chelsea to gain more first-team football, but former Man City player Nedum Onuoha claims that the young attacking midfielder wanted out because he is a Manchester United fan.
Palmer said: “I'm not saying I shied away from the competition at Man City because I’ve never done that. I'd been near the first team for a few years and wanted more of an opportunity to play and to have more of an impact.
“It was a huge decision. When I left the training ground on the Thursday I knew I was going to London the next day. It all just hit me, sitting in the car and going to drive out. I was just thinking: ‘You've been here 15 years.’”
Cole Palmer's transfer value over time
Onouha says there was more to it, though.
“When Cole Palmer was at City, I thought he was good but I was never fighting for him to be starting. And now I see Cole Palmer at Chelsea, and it makes perfect sense that he’s starting because he’s like the guy, do you know what I mean?” he told the BBC prior to the weekend’s clash.
“I just think Cole Palmer will be desperate to do something in this game against City, against his former teammates and his former manager who let him go.
“And, this is the insight that I know, he’s a United fan as well! You saw him last week, I think he was tapping the badge and all sorts. But this game will be the biggest game that he’s had in his career to this point.”
Palmer responded expertly against City and now Chelsea’s new hero will want to replicate that form when he tackles Malta and North Macedonia with England.
