Chelsea are currently a work in progress under Enzo Maresca as they remain in pursuit of a Premier League top-four spot, plus the Europa Conference League.
Although it’s not been smooth sailing amid a recent loss in form, the Blues certainly have a squad strong enough to get over the line in both competitions.
Chelsea have plenty of talented young players who have an incredibly bright future in the game and are only set to get better and better.
Now, Stamford Bridge legend John Terry has spoken highly of a “phenomenal” talent in Chelsea’s ranks that reminds him of Gianfranco Zola.
John Terry hails ‘phenomenal’ Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Terry, speaking to talkSPORT, sung Cole Palmer’s praises in wake of an incredible rise to prominence at Chelsea.
The Blues legend spoke of how Palmer’s quality and football IQ are so high that it’s almost “too easy” for him to play the game.
Terry also compared Palmer to Zola due to the way they can find and get into space anywhere on the pitch.
“It seems to be too easy for him at times,” said Terry.
“He strolls through games a little bit, but he’s so far ahead of everyone else in terms of the way he sees the game. He always plays that forward pass.
“He’s never looking for the simple one. I think him and [Nicolas] Jackson have a really good relationship as well.
“Nico likes to play on people’s shoulders, which a lot of strikers don’t do nowadays as well. But he’s just been phenomenal.
“When you go to these games at the Bridge you can’t help but just watch and follow him. The ball’s at the other end of the pitch, and you’re just watching his movement.
“He’s always on the half-turn, getting in little pockets.
“Zola used to find himself in areas that he didn’t even know existed. He’s the same as well, but he turns and wants to drive at people and play forward, which I think is the key to it.”
What Joe Cole has said about Cole Palmer amid goal drought
As the season wears on, the sheer amount of games can take its toll on players who started the season strongly.
Palmer has suffered a bit of a downturn in form recently, failing to score or register an assist since netting against Bournemouth in mid-January.
Joe Cole, who played alongside Terry at Chelsea, had some words of reassurance for Palmer earlier in March.
Cole suggested that what Palmer is going through is normal, and he’ll have “loads of spells like this in his career”.
The former England international stressed that Palmer needs to keep his cool and stated that “the dry spell will end” eventually.
“Cole Palmer will have loads of spells like this in his career,” said Cole.
“He just needs to be calm and smooth, he looks like the coolest man in the room.
“It could be affecting him but what he needs to know is – listen, you’re going through a dry spell, it will end.”
