Chelsea FC returned to action this season, navigating their first month of fixtures with a record of two wins, two losses, and a draw across Premier League and UEFA Conference League play-off matches. The performances under new head coach Enzo Maresca have been a mixed bag, marked by moments of brilliance and inconsistency.
An opening day defeat to reigning champions Manchester City was followed by a stunning 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home, while a 1-1 draw against London rivals Crystal Palace provided a more measured performance. In Europe, Chelsea managed to edge past Swiss side Servette FC, advancing to the Conference League group stage with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Standing out in the midst of these varied results is Cole Palmer, who has been named the Pride of London’s Chelsea Player of the Month for August 2024. The 22-year-old forward has continued his electric form from last season, directly contributing to five goals in five games. His crowning moment came with a sublime chip over José Sá from outside the box to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead against Wolves, a goal now shortlisted for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month.
Cole's brilliant lob against Wolves has been nominated for the August #PL Goal of the Month award. 💫
Vote for his goal here: 👉 https://t.co/goJ35Frar0 pic.twitter.com/9VK0ocJyct
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 5, 2024
Palmer’s influence didn’t stop there. He delivered a masterclass in creativity against Wolves, providing three assists for Noni Madueke’s hat-trick. This remarkable feat made Palmer just the fifth player in Premier League history to assist the same teammate three or more times in a single match, solidifying his place in the record books.
🥶➕🔥
Cole Palmer assisted all three of Noni Madueke's goals against Wolves! pic.twitter.com/7SHp36nvN7
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 25, 2024
Against Crystal Palace, Palmer once again spearheaded CFC’s attacking efforts. His precise assist to Nicolas Jackson helped break the deadlock, though the match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite the result, Palmer’s performance stood out, with the young forward consistently dropping deep to initiate and orchestrate Chelsea’s attacking play.
In the UEFA Conference League, Palmer was utilized sparingly, coming off the bench in both legs against Servette. Chelsea’s management has since made the decision to leave him out of the squad for the group stage, citing the club’s congested schedule and the need to manage Palmer’s workload. This decision also sees him withdraw from the England squad for the international break, allowing him much-needed rest.
Adding to his growing list of accolades, Palmer has been nominated for both the Premier League Player of the Month and the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Fresh off winning the PFA Young Player of the Year for 2023/24, Palmer’s trajectory continues upward, with his early-season form suggesting another standout campaign for Chelsea’s rising star.
