Cole Palmer: Chelsea star named England Player of the Year despite just TWO career starts as fans say team-mate 'robbed'

10/08/2024 06:10 PM

FEW players have amassed such staggering stats in the Prem so quickly as Cole Palmer.

And few have won such a prestigious honour at international level from such little action!

Chelsea‘s attacking midfielder has been named England‘s player of the year – after just two starts since his Three Lions debut in November 2023.

Many fans found the award jaw-dropping – reckoning runner-up Jude Bellingham or third-placed Bukayo Saka should have won it.

Yet the honour, for 2023-24, was chosen for by SUPPORTERS.

Palmer has won nine caps – including five off the bench, in playing just 145 minutes, at the Euros as England reached the final.

His peak moment so far was a spectacular strike off the bench in that showpiece clash, an equaliser that offered hope before Mikel Oyarzabal fired a late winner for Spain.

However, at Prem level, Palmer has notched 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 matches.

That includes a blistering start to this term, netting six times and teeing up five goals in just seven top-flight games.

For England he’s scored twice in nine matches, albeit seven appearances coming off the bench.

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In contrast, Arsenal winger Saka has been a consistent menace for the Three Lions, while Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham has often reached lofty heights, despite his mediocre Euro 2024. 

It’s left fans divided – believing 22-year-old Palmer should have been used more by previous England boss Gareth Southgate but also mystified at how their peers chose him above regular starters.

One said: “Bukayo Saka was robbed. What did Cole Palmer do that Saka didn’t?”

Another wrote: “How is this possible when he didn’t even start in any single match in Euros??? England led by politics and PR games again,”

A third posted: “Weird as he barely played at the Euros. I'm not saying Palmer isn't a good player but for a year we've had the Euros he can't be the POTY when Southgate rarely played him.”

And a fourth insisted: “Saka did a better job than Cole Palmer, he should be getting the men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023-24; If for any reason Saka wasn’t the right person, the next persons that come to mind are Bellingham & Harry Kane. This is ridiculous.”

But a few fans looked to the Palmer who could be set for a wonderful winter at club and international level – rather than the one relying on England cameos over the past 12 months.

One said: “The best player in the world!!!!Generational talent.   and another added: “Generational talent.”