The Premier League is such a serious business that light relief is hard to find but there was a moment of levity amid the taut drama of Sunday’s eight-goal thriller between Chelsea and Manchester City. It came as City’s brains trust were formulating plans for a free-kick. An extra head suddenly appeared as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer leaned in on his former teammates’ huddle, all ears.
“I was just having a laugh to be honest. I think Erling found it pretty funny. I don’t think the others did,” said Palmer. Haaland started laughing before shoving him away. That little incident said, in its own way, as much about the 21-year-old Mancunian as the nerveless injury-time penalty which balanced the game of the season out at 4-4.
Despite the stage and the stakes, he plays his football on instinct, rarely bothering to overthink things. It is an attitude which has seen him thrive this season at Chelsea after the potential head-spin of a £42.5million move from his childhood club.
After being part of the England side that won the European under-21s Championships four months ago, he suddenly finds himself in the full squad on the back of it. Pressing pause at St George’s Park, Palmer allows himself a brief moment to reflect and assess.
“It’s been crazy. From winning the Euros to signing for Chelsea then getting called up here. It’s all happened so fast. I am excited for it all,” he said. “I wasn’t even thinking of an England call-up when I first went to Chelsea. I just wanted to play more games and have an opportunity to prove myself. Getting called up here is just a bonus.”
City manager Pep Guardiola had assured him he would be given more opportunities this season and had picked him for the Super Cup final against Sevilla, a game in which he scored, but Palmer was unconvinced. “You know how good a manager Pep is and he gave me the opportunity and platform to kickstart my career so I’ll always be grateful to him,” he said.
“But with the competition that was there, the players that were there, the players that they were going to try to sign, I wasn’t sure. Who knows what would have happened if I had stayed. Maybe I would have played more, maybe not.
“But I think the decision to go to Chelsea so far is paying off.” Palmer’s only issue with the move south is the traffic. With four goals and four assists in 14 appearances, the attacking midfielder is thriving under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino.
“A lot of people told me how he is with young players and ever since I went to Chelsea I can see it. I’m enjoying working with him and I’m excited to carry on working with him,” he said. “He has given me the confidence and licence to go where I want on the pitch, where I feel I can use my strengths so I’m grateful for it.”
With his silky left foot, it is his coolness on the ball – and as a deadly penalty taker – which has marked him out. “He doesn’t feel the pressure,” observed Pochettino. “The character and talent he is showing is very good for the team.”
Now for the national team and a possible debut at Wembley off the bench against Malta tomorrow night. Unsurprisingly, he is taking it all in his long stride. “It will be an amazing moment for me and my family if it does happen,” he said. “But if it doesn’t happen, I am just happy to get a call up and be here and try and show what I can do.”
