WHY Cole Palmer is the most exciting midfield talent set to emerge in Europe 1 I must talk about his ball skills. Palmer’s ball trickery and dribbling wizardry is on display every time he puts on that sky blue shirt. His turn of pace, balance on the ball and dribbling skills are a feast for the eyes. His famous feints and sharp turns are majestic. In one-on-one situations there is usually only one winner. Palmer can also run from deep, gliding past multiple opponents. His ability to keep the ball close, shield the ball and evade opposition tackles has sometimes made him look unplayable. 2 You cannot help but be impressed by his vision and passing technique too. Palmer has already got an impressive array of tricks and passes: crosses from the left wing, intelligent through-balls and a range of short and long passes. Now add Haaland to that mix. Although predominantly left-footed, Cole is comfortable with both feet. Happy to play on the left, or on the right where he will be able to cut in and curl in a sumptuous shot or cross. 3 He is not just an attacking midfielder who provides assists. Palmer is proving to be a capable goalscorer too. Palmer shows lots of composure and cool finishing in front of goal for his age. He shows great awareness of space, and awareness of his teammate’s runs in and around the box. His first Premier League goal is imminent. 4 It is a delight to witness yet another creative and technically gifted player in our squad. A versatile attacking midfielder who can perform in many of Pep’s evolving attacking positions and roles: one of the two creative number 8’s, second striker or as a winger. Guardiola is lucky to have yet another midfield option rise from our academy, which can make an attacking run to beat the defensive line or carve a team open with a pass. 5 The departments for him to improve on are twofold at the moment. The quality that elevates every attacking midfielder is effectiveness. You can have all the skill and elegance in the world, but if you are not impacting the game in goals and assists on a regular basis you will not get the respect you deserve: by football fans, managers, the national team head coach and the media. When Cole Palmer is on the ball, he demonstrates exceptional ball control, but his speed of thought will only improve. At times, his decision making has caused minor frustration with our fans: how long to keep the ball, when to release it and whether to shoot or pass. This will come with match experience with the senior squad. Especially when he is no longer the best player on the pitch and can trust his teammates more. 6 Cole Palmer is a tempo changer. It could be argued that both Grealish and Mahrez slow down our tempo, which does help us in some game phases. However, I believe Cole Palmer has the special ability to switch up the tempo through his passes and dribbles. 7 In terms of passing and technical ability he is one of the most accomplished 20-year-olds in the world. Something you cannot teach at that age is a football brain, which he undoubtedly possesses. The ability to read the game is a skill that sets apart the brainless runners and the unpredictable magicians. If Palmer improves his upper-body strength, defensive workrate and decision making in the next coming years he will be unstoppable. The future is bright, the future is blue!
Sounds all very Scouse this, we've the best of everything and will dominate forever of we listen to you
Pep gave Cole Palmer a full half last night to showcase his talent, and he did not disappoint. Palmer is showing maturity already, not looking out of place even in the Champions League. We may see Cole push for Mahrez's position in the first team over the next year, as I love seeing him cut in from the right wing.
