Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto compares Blues’ youngster Cole Palmer to James Maddison
Mauricio Pochettino has been informed he already has his own version of Tottenham’s James Maddison in Cole Palmer.
Former Blues defender Scott Minto boldly compared Palmer to Maddison after the 2-0 loss to Brentford.
Ever since Todd Boehly took over the reins at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have spent lavishly on transfers. The total amount spent on transfers has exceeded the £1BILLION cap. This summer was especially busy at Stamford Bridge as they signed nine senior players who are now a part of Mauricio Pochettino‘s first team.
“Cole Palmer, what a ball he just put in there that no one could quite get on the end of. To give him a real big compliment, we talked about James Maddison in the pre-show; he’s almost the James Maddison for Chelsea.”
The evidence this season supports suggestions Palmer boasts similar creative talents to Maddison. Both possess the vision and technique to spearhead attacks from midfield with incisive passing.
Yet Chelsea deemed Maddison too old at 26 to pursue this summer, instead spending big on younger options. In light of Maddison’s blistering form, that now appears a short-sighted decision.
The Tottenham number 10 has started all of Tottenham’s 10 matches this season scoring thrice and providing 5 assists along the way. Overall he has been instrumental in Tottenham’s terrific performance this season as they sit in first place in the Premier League standings. His entire performance alone has dwarfed Chelsea’s run so far who sit at 11th.
Unlike Palmer, Maddison has elite finishers like Son Heung-Min to capitalize on his service. On the other hand, Chelsea’s misfiring forwards continue squandering their chances in the final third. In Saturday’s loss against Brentford, the boys in blue took 17 shots at their opponents’ goal and managed to have only two on target.
Pochettino should make better transfer decisions come January
While Palmer mirrors Maddison’s ingenuity, Chelsea’s bizarre age cut-off denied Pochettino the proven end product Maddison delivers. At 39, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva disproves the notion players closer to 30 start losing quality. Maddison’s influence at rivals Spurs highlights the folly of overlooking him.
Had Chelsea signed Maddison, he and Palmer could have formed a creative dynamo to unlock defences. Instead, Pochettino’s team lacks the ruthlessness despite having a similar provider in Palmer.
The youngster’s emergence is a huge positive Chelsea must build around. But passing Maddison on due to age looks an increasingly peculiar call as he shines at Tottenham.
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Come January, Pochettino will have greater influence over Chelsea transfers. If he makes the smart decision of signing an experienced forward to guide the young blood of Chelsea, it will indeed be immensely beneficial.