Chelsea summer signing Cole Palmer enjoyed an evening to remember on Monday, scoring four times to help Chelsea seal an emphatic 6-0 victory against Premier League strugglers Everton.
The 21-year-old, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £42.5million last summer, is enjoying a simply sensational season for the Blues, with Palmer having now scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season in 28 matches.
It was also the second hat-trick he's scored during the 2023-24 campaign, following his goal haul against Man United earlier this month.
He has become Chelsea's key man, finding the back of the net in four of their last five matches. While his exceptional goal haul has catapaulted him up to joint-top of the Premier League's top scorers charts, Palmer is set to miss out on a big pay cheque.
According to The Sun, the Man City academy graduate signed a seven-year deal that is worth £80,000-per-week upon arriving at his new club, but opted against adding a goal bonus clause into that contract.
The outlet claims Palmer 'was not bothered about insisting on a scoring bonus when signing his new deal in September.'
It comes as Chelsea look set to the attacking midfielder upgraded contract terms, with The Telegraph claiming the Blues are willl table a bumper pay packet following his excellent season. They add that while no talks over the deal have began - or are imminent - there is an understanding among those at Stamford Bridge that Palmer deserves a pay rise.
In his exclusive interview with Adrian Kadjumba for Mail+, Palmer revealed why he chose to join Chelsea, adding that Mauricio Pochettino was part of the lure to come to Stamford Bridge.
On Monday, he became the 40th player in Premier League history to score four goals or more in an English top-flight match.
His third was perhaps the best of the quartet, with the 21-year-old arriving to pick off a terrible pass from Jordan Pickford, before lobbing the England goalkeeper.
He would hit back with another strike from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, but the game was overshadowed by an unsavoury incedent between Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.
Both players seemed to argue over who should take the penalty, with Palmer subsequently pulling rank and sliding the the ball into the back of the net from the spot kick.
Pochettino had been left incensed by the incident after the match, while Palmer simply responded, 'I am our penalty taker'.
'Everyone wants to score, especially the attackers. It's nothing, we have spoken about it, we have brushed it under the carpet,' Palmer told NBC Sports.
'I think it just shows the mentality of the players, they want to take it, but the gaffer has told us, it's been brushed aside and I'm sure it won't happen again.'
Following his excellent performances this season, Palmer perhaps can expect to be called-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for this summer's European Championships in Germany.
He has also been attracting the plaudits from several former stars including Chelsea legend Joe Cole, who lauded the youngster as 'the signing of the season'.
'What's even more remarkable is, the way he was talking to Jules, he just scored a last minute goal - it was like he just got off the sofa, he's got his cocoa in his hand, and he's ready for bed,' said the former Blues star on TNT Sports.
'He's the coolest man in the building,' Cole continued. 'These fans love him. Cause there's no experienced players around, you're looking for someone who's got something magical. You watch Jude Bellingham, he's not 20 years old.
'You feel the same with Cole Palmer. From Manchester United's perspective, in a crucial point of the game, how can you let the best player on the pitch have the time to take a touch in the box and strike it.
'Even he must be thinking, what's going on here? How have I got this time? He's been remarkable. I would say, signing of the season.
'He's taken this team by the scruff of the neck, and gone, "you're my team. I'm the one that's going to drag this team through". Absolutely build a team around him. He has the personality for it. Nobody thought he would miss this. Cool as you like.'
Botabekst
0
On penalty Yes they should allow Palmer to take it for him to have more goal and level up with Haaland but player should be working on taking penalty because if Palmer is not on the field two to four other other players should be there because penalty is part of winning games
Botabekst
1
Porch should be giving Trevoh more playing time he played well in defense against Everton also Gallagher and Calcedo as defensive midfielder. Defense line of Cucurella, Thiago, Trevoh and Gusto is good. The front players will be able to play well
duwdkprsuz
1
cole is the best player
Toeblnruz
2
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
U dont know football. He aim to be a top scorer of the season. And that happened when suares was chasing ronaldo for the golden boots then messi give all penalties to suares inorder to become a top scorer of the season. So other chelsea players must help palmer to become a top scorer of the season by doin so that will bring something to chelsea at the end of the saason
SirOkolugbo1
2
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
Does Haaland give away penalties to anyone else?
tapdloprs
2
What’s the use of that Noni and Jackson? Their goals have no vision 😂😂😂
Gbengababs
2
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
So Haaland can wheel away the Golden Boot right?
sahbcilnpy
3
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
Are you OK? He is going head to head with haland for golden boot you are here talking about players with little or no goals huh? If they want to score goals they can do all that on their own and not wait for penalty in order to score, Palmer is Chelsea designated penalty taker.
JOSHUA”
4
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
He has to be on top cos Halland is there too. I didn’t see any greediness there, and to be frank if Noni scores there is no big deal and if Jackson scores there is no big deal also let him score and tie up with Halland🥶
Yekacklmrt
0
He is greedy. Others like Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Dinho will give it to teammate to score because they already got the match ball.
Rhema10
0
Cole is cooling the tension in London Bridge
Chap Kim
1
mean while ex Chelsea winning titles at spurs in his dreams.
buzelmotuy
1
Cole Palma is doing it right, I wish he will end the season with more goals than haaland
Batloprsz
4
he deserves even more