What started as a breakout season under previous regimes has now morphed into full-blown dominance, turning Chelsea into genuine contenders and making the 23-year-old England’s most feared attacker.
In the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Palmer’s numbers are already frightening. Through 15 appearances (13 starts), he’s notched 8 goals and 1 assist in league play alone, with an xG of 7.67 underscoring his clinical edge. His overall tally across all competitions stands at 9 goals and 3 assists in 18 games, but it’s the quality — not just quantity — that’s terrifying defenses. Palmer recently etched his name into the history books with a blistering first-half hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score three separate first-half trebles. Two penalties and a sweeping finish from a Marc Cucurella cross in a 3-1 win saw him claim Player of the Matchweek honors, voted by fans as the standout performer.
This isn’t a fluke. Palmer’s threat is multifaceted: elite from the spot (where he’s virtually automatic), lethal in transition, and increasingly influential as a creator when shifted centrally under Liam Rosenior. Pundits like Paul Merson have pointed out his best position is as a No.10, where he dictates tempo, exploits pockets, and links seamlessly with forwards like João Pedro. Against promoted or lower-table sides — teams the league often relies on to blunt big attacks — Palmer has been ruthless. He’s involved in 14 goals (8 goals, 6 assists) in just 12 Premier League starts against newly promoted opponents, a stat that screams “trap” for any defense sitting deep.
Rivals feared exactly this trajectory when Chelsea invested heavily in him after his £40m move from Manchester City. Early doubters called him a “one-season wonder” after his explosive debut campaign, but Palmer has silenced them with consistency. His physical growth — winning more duels, improving aerially — combined with technical brilliance has made him harder to dispossess. High xG rankings (top 3 in recent form resurgence) and shots volume (often 3+ per game) show he’s not just scoring; he’s generating danger constantly.
The Premier League’s collective nightmare? A Chelsea side built around Palmer thriving. With midfield balance from Moisés Caicedo and Andrey Santos, plus Rosenior’s pragmatic tweaks, the Blues are surging — pushing for top-four and beyond. Palmer’s “Cold” celebrations are becoming a weekly ritual, and his market value has skyrocketed past €120m. He’s not just Chelsea’s talisman; he’s a global star, fresh off leading them to FIFA Club World Cup glory (where he earned the Golden Ball) and now carrying that momentum into domestic dominance.
Opponents know what’s coming: penalties converted with nerveless precision, curled finishes from range, and moments of individual magic that swing games. Defenses double-team him, yet he still finds space. Managers rotate tactics to contain him, but he adapts. The league was afraid of a young English attacker becoming world-class too quickly — clinical, composed, and clutch — and Palmer is delivering on every front.
As Chelsea face upcoming fixtures, including clashes with teams that park the bus, expect more fireworks. Palmer isn’t slowing down; he’s accelerating. The Premier League didn’t just get a star — it got a phenomenon. And right now, no one looks capable of stopping him.
