Joe Cole hails ‘signing of the season’ Cole Palmer at Chelsea and 'world’s most in-form player’ Phil Foden

Joe Cole believes Cole Palmer has been the Premier League’s signing of the season and described Phil Foden as world’s most in-form player.

Palmer scored a hat-trick in an incredible 4-3 victory over Manchester United on Thursday, while Foden also netted a treble as Manchester City dispatched Aston Villa with a 4-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking about Palmer ahead of City’s match against Crystal Palace – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - he said: “I said it after the game [Chelsea v Man United] in the height of the excitement and I still think it.

“I can't see an argument against for the money they paid for him, the age he's at and what he's done for Chelsea.

“I'd shudder to think where they would be if Cole Palmer hadn't have put pen to paper, he's been that good.

“There have been three, four of five players at the club that have done well this year, but he's been outstanding.”

Cole’s views were backed by Rio Ferdinand, who explained that Palmer’s care-free attitude to the game is propelling the 21-year-old to new heights.

“The biggest compliment I can give Cole Palmer is that he can go anywhere in the world in the biggest stadiums, and it will feel like he's just going down to the goals in his local area with his mates.

“He scored a hat-trick the other day, and we were both standing there going 'how is he is so calm talking to you [talking to Jules Breach in his post-match interview]?' It's unreal.”

Former Chelsea midfielder Cole feels that Palmer’s cool personality under pressure enhances his claim to be part of England’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.

“With that mindset, he has to go with England because you can put him on the pitch in any type of game at the Euros and he's not going to be fazed,” he explained.

“We've seen players that have fallen to bits in those pressure moments, but that will never happen to him.”

The TNT Sports punditry duo also waxed lyrically about Foden, and Cole claimed there is not a better-in-form player anywhere else in world football.

When speculating why Foden is starting Saturday’s match on the bench, he said: “This is definitely with the Champions League [quarter-final v Real Madrid on Tuesday] in mind because Phil Foden is not just the in-form player in the league, but in world football.

Ferdinand expressed his surprise to see the 23-year-old dropped to the bench, but highlighted the incredible depth Pep Guardiola has at his disposal by bringing Kevin De Bruyne into the team.

“They were looking to him, and he delivered. So, it is a shock to see him on the bench, but when you're bringing in the likes of De Bruyne as a replacement, you can understand it in terms of preserving him, and you don't want fatigue at this stage of the season.

“If you've got De Bruyne coming in, you can't really turn your nose up at it.”

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