Cole Palmer lavished in praise by Chelsea teammate

Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho has claimed "anything is possible" as long as the Blues have Cole Palmer in the team.

Palmer enjoyed an incredible breakout season in 2023/24, racking up 33 combined goals and assists in 33 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. He initially endured a slower start to the new campaign following a busy summer, but is now proving it was no one-season wonder.

The 22-year-old scored all four of Chelsea's goals during Saturday’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion – he got his hat-trick in the space of 12 first half minutes and it only took another eight to get the fourth. No other player in Premier League history has scored four times in the first half of a game.

"When you have a player in your team like Cole Palmer, then anything is possible," Sancho said, via ESPN. "I've known Cole a long time, since our days together at [Manchester] City. I've always watched him and always thought he would go on to be a great player.

"He's showing that now at Chelsea. We see what he's capable of each day in training, we see the quality he has and honestly, it's no real surprise to me to see him score four goals. In fact, he could have scored five or six. I'm sure he will be fuming not to add to his tally but in all seriousness, he's such a quality player.

"Having a player like Cole alongside you is very good and I'm happy to assist him."

Given that Brighton were unbeaten this season prior to kick-off, it had the potential to be a tricky game. That much was clear given that they took the lead inside the opening seven minutes. But Palmer personally ensured Chelsea would make it five Premier League games without defeat and four wins in their last five in the competition.

For all the grave predictions about Enzo Maresca’'s team following a poor pre-season and an opening day defeat to Manchester City, they have climbed to fourth in the table – just two points off the top.

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