Cole Palmer looked like Cole Palmer again but Chelsea's progress this season will be hampered by sticking with Robert Sanchez in goal, argued Jamie Carragher. Palmer was back to his best in the 3-2 win over Fulham, producing the kind of performance that reminded everyone why he has become one of the Premier League's most explosive players. There was swagger to his performance again - the confidence, invention and end product that made him such a phenomenon when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Palmer, when asked if he was ready to go this season, replied: "Did you not watch the game? I'm only joking, I'm ready. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through the summer and since I've been back I've worked extra hard.
"Obviously with the injuries I've had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out. I know the talent I've got so I can put in performances like that. "Normally I'm not an emotional person, the people who know me know I'm not usually bothered about things in life, but over the summer I rested, I recharged and yeah I'm ready and I'm hungry." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Palmer was controversially left out of England's World Cup squad this summer by Thomas Tuchel and Sky Sports' Gary Neville thinks that snub could be a big blessing in disguise.
Neville said: "Look, maybe it's the best thing that's ever happened to Cole Palmer, because maybe his career is just drifting a little bit and he gets a massive kick up the backside. Sometimes my dad used to say to me, you need to kick up the backside and a reminder in life that you've got to basically retain that hunger every single minute of every single day. "A point midway through my career, where I dropped off for about a year and a half and all of a sudden, you just get a reality check and you realise things don't come easy, and you've got to maintain that standard.
"That tonight was the old Cole Palmer, that we were used to seeing complete years ago, a year or so ago. And he is unbelievable to watch. That is the best performance I've seen all weekend.
It makes you smile every time you watch someone like that, and he's a brilliant player." It took only 31 seconds for Joao Pedro's goal to bring the visitors' new era to life under Xabi Alonso - it was an attacking display that was scintillating at times with new signing Morgan Rogers dovetailing beautifully with his great mate Palmer. Carragher said: "There were things to really like. On paper, that front three is sensational.
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