Cole Palmer has become the first Chelsea player since Eden Hazard to pick up the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old became the Blues’ main man in just his first campaign in west London, scoring 22 league goals to finish second in the Golden Boot, just five behind winner Erling Haaland.
Palmer has beaten off competition from last year’s winner, Bukayo Saka, and Manchester United duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Last season was a breakout campaign for Palmer after he made the decision to leave Manchester City, where he progressed from the academy ranks through to the first team.
After rarely getting the chance to show his quality in Manchester, Palmer’s stock rose exponentially within just months of the move to Stamford Bridge as he shone in an inconsistent Chelsea side.
He led the Blues, then managed by Mauricio Pochettino, to a European spot, notching up 11 Premier League assists and an impressive haul of goals.
Palmer was not initially signed as a goalscorer, but he became Chelsea’s primary source for finding the back of the net as other forwards faltered.
He netted two Premier League hat-tricks in three matches, with the first coming against his former club’s bitter rivals, Manchester United.
The forward’s displays earned him a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad, and once again, he showed his quality by scoring a long-range effort in the final against Spain, which the Three Lions ended up losing.
Palmer can add the gong to his list of achievements, which includes winning the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award back in May.
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