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‘On fire’: Jason Cundy says Chelsea have a player who’s reminding him of Bernardo Silva now
Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has compared Cole Palmer to Manchester City star Bernardo Silva after his display against Blackburn Rovers last night.
Cole Palmer helped his side to make it to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after they managed to beat Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men 2-0, and Jason Cundy was impressed with what he saw from the attacker.
Cundy was commentating on the game for Chelsea’s official club website (01/11/2023 at 21:02), where he waxed lyrical about Palmer.
Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers – Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Goals from Benoit Badiashile, who was making his first appearance since returning from injury, and Raheem Sterling were enough to get the job done for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Jason Cundy compares Cole Palmer to Bernardo Silva
It is fair to say that Cundy was more than pleased with Palmer’s latest showing.
While on commentary duty for Chelsea’s official club website, the former defender said: “I have to say, Cole Palmer right now is on fire. He is Chelsea’s best, most influential player, no question about that.
“Every time he gets the ball, something’s going to happen. He’s got that ability. He reminded me a little bit of Bernardo or David Silva.”
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Cole Palmer Chelsea’s most influential player
Right now, you would have to say that Palmer is Chelsea’s most important player.
The 21-year-old, who arrived at the club from Manchester City over the summer in a £40m deal (Sky Sports), is the one who is making things happen for the Blues.
He managed to register another assist last night and overall, his play has been quite positive, with Opta showing that he is averaging the most progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea FC v Brentford FC – Premier League
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Palmer, despite being so young, has also shown that he can handle responsibility. The England U21 international has already taken and scored two penalties for the club, with one coming against Arsenal.
Chelsea will need to see more of the same from Palmer in their next game, with the Blues taking on their rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The north London club currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, so it is not going to be an easy game.
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OPINIONMan City might have found their best form at the perfect time
Manchester City returned to their scintillating best against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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Daniel Murphy
ByDaniel MurphySenior Football Writer
07:00, 2 NOV 2023
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Manchester City players celebrate.
City appear to be back in their best form.
Perhaps the opponents were so bad that not much should be read into it but for the first time this season, Manchester City put in a near-perfect display on Sunday.
That’s not to say City have been bad to start the new campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side won six games on the spin out of the gate and it took them until February to win four consecutive matches last term. Considering how it ended, this year certainly bodes well.
But despite the victories City were far from their best. There is enough sensational quality in the squad that there is always going to be moments of brilliance in practically every game but, as a collective, things weren’t quite clicking.
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It’s completely understandable as to why, given half of the core starting XI that was so crucial to the treble triumph was unavailable. Captain Ilkay Gundogan has left, Kevin De Bruyne managed just 20 minutes on the opening day before being ruled out until 2024 and John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish all had injury problems.
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Add several new signings coming in and having to get used to a radical new style of play – and one of those, Mateo Kovacic, getting injured as well – it’s a wonder City weren’t even worse. Many lesser sides would not have been able to gain 18 points out of 18 but City just kept on ticking.
That was until the straw of Rodri’s suspension broke the camel’s back. The perfect start unravelled as the crucial Spaniard missed three games following his foolish red card. All three of the matches were lost. No tears were shed of elimination from the Carabao Cup, a match he wouldn’t have played in, but back-to-back defeats to Wolves and title challengers Arsenal were far from ideal.
The international break came at the perfect time for City to recuperate and get their injured players back fit. Since returning to action, they have been back to winning ways. Victories over Brighton and Young Boys weren’t exactly convincing but then up stepped Manchester United to give a real confidence booster.
The disorganised and undisciplined rabble the Blues encountered at Old Trafford hardly made things difficult but City still put on a brutal clinic. Bernardo once again made the Theatre of Dreams his personal dance floor as he weaved through the opposition with ease. Grealish enjoyed his best game for months with a lively attacking display, Erling Haaland got back amongst the important goals and Phil Foden showed his class.
But most importantly of all, the whole side looked back to normal. Stones completed 90 minutes for the first time this season, meaning Guardiola could revert back to the tactical set-up that worked wonders last season and everyone looked much more comfortable in their roles. Additionally, in Bernardo, Rodri has a new partner capable of fulfilling the role Gundogan did so exquisitely.
For the first time since May, City looked back to their best, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Though there is another international break in between, the big fixtures will soon start coming thick and fast.
The Blues can almost certainly guarantee qualification for the Champions League knockout stages with a win at home to Young Boys next week, giving them two dead rubbers in a hectic calendar and then after that they will travel to face Chelsea. Upon the return to club football, there will then be a massive week of action in which they welcome Liverpool and Tottenham to the Etihad.
Tottenham are the surprise package of the season under Ange Postecoglou while Liverpool are once again emerging as a challenger after smart summer business. City will need to be at their best to beat them both and ensure they remain favourites to clinch the title.
Thankfully, they have seemingly found their top form just in time.
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