Cole Palmer, a promising talent in English football, is reportedly working behind the scenes to persuade one of his England teammates to join him at Chelsea this summer.
Although Palmer didn’t start for England during Euro 2024, he played a significant role in Gareth Southgate’s squad, which impressively reached the final for the second consecutive tournament.
At only 22 years old, Palmer made a notable impact in the quarter-finals by coming off the bench and playing a key role in England’s victory over Switzerland.
During the intense penalty shootout, Palmer confidently took and scored the first penalty, setting a positive tone for England’s success.
His influence continued in the semi-finals against the Netherlands, where he again came on as a late substitute and delivered a crucial pass that enabled Ollie Watkins to score the winning goal in the 91st minute, securing England’s place in the final.
In the eagerly awaited final against Spain, both Palmer and Watkins were brought on as substitutes in an attempt to change the game’s dynamics.
Palmer did not disappoint; he showcased his skill and composure by scoring a remarkable goal that leveled the score for England.
This display of on-field chemistry between Palmer and Watkins has reportedly extended into a strong off-field friendship.
According to Football Insider, Palmer is now actively trying to convince Watkins to leave Aston Villa and join him at Chelsea.
Sources indicate that Palmer has engaged in discussions with Watkins, proposing that they could form a formidable attacking duo at Chelsea under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea, eager to strengthen their attacking options this summer, has identified Watkins as a prime target.
The 28-year-old striker had an outstanding season with Aston Villa, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League and playing a crucial role in Villa’s qualification for the Champions League.
To facilitate this potential transfer, Chelsea is reportedly willing to offer Conor Gallagher to Aston Villa.
Gallagher has been a long-term target for Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, and his inclusion in the deal could ease negotiations between the two clubs.
This pursuit of new talent is part of Chelsea’s broader strategy to bolster their squad.
Since the club’s acquisition by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, Chelsea has invested over £1 billion in new signings.
This summer, they have already made significant acquisitions, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, and Marc Guiu.
As the transfer window progresses, the football world is watching with keen interest to see if Palmer’s efforts to bring Watkins to Chelsea will succeed.
What is clear, however, is that Chelsea is determined to enhance their squad ahead of the new season, reflecting their ambitious vision under new ownership.
The addition of Watkins could be a significant step in this ongoing transformation, potentially providing Chelsea with the firepower they need to compete at the highest levels both domestically and in Europe.
In other news, a previous post mentions Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola expressing frustration over transfer dealings, hinting at a desire for revenge in the Community Shield final against Manchester United for their interference in his summer transfer plans.
Additionally, there is speculation about a major reversal at Manchester United regarding a key centre-back as new signings are about to join the team.
