Cole Palmer is making a habit of silencing doubters with goals, and on Saturday, he did so emphatically with a first-half hat-trick for Chelsea in their 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The performance not only secured crucial points for Chelsea but also reignited transfer speculation, prompting a notable reaction from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Palmer, who has battled injury issues this season, found the net twice from the penalty spot and added a third with a clinical finish after a driving run and assist from Marc Cucurella. The hat-trick was completed within the first half, making Palmer the first Premier League player to achieve that feat in multiple games. Despite the individual accolades, Palmer remained grounded, acknowledging the challenges he’s faced this season.
“It feels good to get three points and score some goals. It was a good one in difficult conditions today. As long as I can keep scoring hat-tricks, I’m happy,” Palmer said after the match. He also highlighted the team’s strong start, noting a slight dip in performance after the break. “I think we did well in the first half. The second half was a bit flat, but, personally, it feels good to get back on the scoresheet.”
The 23-year-old’s impressive form has inevitably led to external attention. Recent reports suggested Palmer was “unsettled” at Chelsea and potentially open to a return to the North West, with Manchester United reportedly interested. However, Palmer dismissed these rumors as “rubbish.” “Everyone loves to chat rubbish, don’t they?” he stated. “I don’t pay too much attention to it. You see things. But I feel like I’ve come from a strong place anyway, so I don’t pay attention to it.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Fernandes took to Instagram following the match to comment on Palmer’s post, simply writing: “What a player,” accompanied by a clapping emoji. The message quickly garnered significant attention, with fans playfully labeling Fernandes as “agent Bruno.” This interaction comes after Palmer scored a dramatic winner against Manchester United last season, a game he recalls vividly.
Reflecting on that April 2024 encounter, a 4-3 thriller at Stamford Bridge, Palmer remembered a tense finish. “I remember that Bruno [Fernandes] and [Diogo] Dalot were passing the ball to each other and we couldn’t get it off them,” Palmer recalled to Chelseafc.com. “That was like the 97th minute. I was thinking the game was finished. But then we won a penalty, and I think they gave us the ball straight back [from kick-off]. We countered and then Carney [Chukwuemeka] almost scored. And then my third goal went in. I’ve seen the video, everyone was pointing at me, but nobody picked me up.”
Palmer’s journey this season has been marked by frustration as much as success. He admitted to struggling with the impact of injuries, a new experience for him. “I’ve never been injured before in my career. Here’s something new to me, and I’m still finding out how to deal with it,” he explained. “It has been frustrating, I don’t feel like I’ve played a game this season fully fit. I’ve been going into games thinking, “Can I do certain things? Can I not?” Overthinking it.”
Despite these challenges, Palmer is focused on overcoming them with the support of the Chelsea staff. “The staff have been really good. I’ve been working closely with the physios on a day-to-day basis. They have all helped, and I’ll get through it,” he said. “I’m not here to make excuses, and I’ll get over the injuries. I know what I can do when I’m fit, and hopefully I can get back to that soon. For now, I just manage it and get there.”
The partnership with Joao Pedro also proved pivotal in Saturday’s win, with the Brazilian winning the two penalties that Palmer converted. “I love playing with Joao Pedro. We’re good friends off the pitch, so it helps. Long may it continue,” Palmer said, highlighting the positive dynamic within the Chelsea attack.
While Palmer downplays the transfer talk, the combination of his outstanding performance, Fernandes’ public praise, and his past heroics against Manchester United ensures the speculation will likely continue. For now, however, Palmer is focused on regaining full fitness and contributing to Chelsea’s push for a strong finish to the season. His ability to deliver match-winning performances, as demonstrated against Wolves, will be crucial as Chelsea navigate a challenging schedule.
