COLE PALMER has been hailed as the “best player on the planet” after his unbelievable goal involvement stats were laid bare.
The Chelsea star scored all FOUR goals in his side’s 4-2 win over Brighton to leave Blues fans believing that the club have finally turned a corner.
His latest heroics, which saw him smash a Prem record for the most goals scored before half-time, has propelled him into elite company.
His Brighton display meant Palmer has now registered 43 goal involvements for Chelsea since joining last summer – the second most of any player in Europe’s top leagues.
That number is only bettered by Harry Kane at Bayern Munich – who has 49 involvements through 38 goals and 11 assists.
Palmer has scored an astonishing 28 goals – only six behind Erling Haaland – and provided 15 assists, which is the most of all.
Manchester City striker Haaland is next on the list with 34 goals and five assists amounting to 39 involvements.
While Ollie Watkins’ 36 contributions leaves him with the fifth most, and one point behind Kylian Mbappe in fourth.
The stats have been counted from September 2023.
But fans were in awe of Palmer’s achievements, with one writing on X: “He’s genuinely the best player on the planet.”
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While another said: “Palmer is currently the best player in the world.”
A third wrote: “For Palmer to do this without European football is unbelievable. No one can touch him right now.”
Palmer was left out of Chelsea’s Uefa Conference League squad this season to prioritise resting him for the Prem amid the new busier schedules of European league phase football.
And Chelsea did not play in the Europe at all last term after finishing 12th in the 2022-23 campaign.
Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans were quick to highlight the three Ballon d’Or contenders who rank MILES below Palmer in goal involvements.
One wrote: “A certain Ballon d’Or favourite is down in 16th” referring to Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
Meanwhile Jude Bellingham is currently 39th in the list behind PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden in 21st.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler admitted that Palmer is the best individual that Brighton have faced this season.
The Seagulls have already played Arsenal and Manchester United, taking points away from both, but suffered their first loss of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca also echoed those same sentiments after his side climbed to fourth in the table.
Maresca said: “Goals, assists, best player in the Premier League, this doesn’t change the way he is.
“He’s a simple guy, a humble guy, and this is the most important thing.”
The 22-year-old has been in sensational form since his £40million switch from City last summer.
England fans were calling for Palmer to start during the nation’s run to the Euro 2024 final, but he was limited to appearances from the bench.
Nonetheless, he scored England’s only goal in their 2-1 final defeat to Spain, and assisted Watkins’ late winner in the semi-final win over the Netherlands.
