"What he’s gone on to become, no one could have ever expected" - Gary Neville lavishes praise on 'exceptional' Chelsea star

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has heaped praise on Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer following his bright start to the 2024-25 season. Neville described Palmer as an "exceptional" player and also claimed that he is a joy to watch.

Since the revamp in the Blues' squad under the Todd Boehly-led consortium, Cole Palmer has stood out for the team. His acquisition, which reportedly cost Chelsea £42.5 million, initially felt like an overpay to the Blues faithful, but has turned out to be a shrewd bargain.

Palmer has picked up from where he left off last season, having scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 15 Premier League games this term. His last goal came against Tottenham Hotspur as they came from behind to win 4-3 away from home. Gary Neville gushed over the Englishman, stating (via TBR Football):

"He’s (Cole Palmer) an exceptional talent, beautiful to watch, is a star in a group of very good players. 40 million pounds. I think at the time, I didn’t question him coming to Chelsea. I questioned them signing another wide player, thinking that they had this sort of… this batch of wide players and players that were being accumulated."

“They signed Mudryk and all those players, Madueke. You’re thinking, how many more do they need to sign of this type? What he’s gone on to become, no one could have ever expected, and I certainly didn’t. He’s exceptional. And to get that level of precision and class and the final pass, the right touch in someone who’s only really two years into doing this is amazing.”

‘‘I can see him on a trajectory to Real Madrid’’ - Louis Saha on the possible future destination of Chelsea star

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Cole Palmer could join Manchester United or Real Madrid if he decides to leave Chelsea.

Palmer was a fan of the Red Devils growing up and Saha would like to see him join his former club. However, despite Saha’s desire for Palmer to join United, he believes the latter’s next possible destination will be Real Madrid.

Saha told Complete Sports (via GOAL):

''Palmer to Manchester United would one day make sense because he grew up being a fan of the club, but there is only one club I can see him going to after Chelsea. I can see him being on a trajectory to Real Madrid and I don’t think the move would phase him, he never doubts himself or thinks about things for too long. He wants to enjoy his game and he’s having fun. I’m very jealous of Chelsea because he is a huge star and I think he’d be a big success if he went to Spain."

Since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023, Palmer has scored 36 goals and provided 21 assists in 62 appearances for the Blues.