Chelsea legend John Terry has labelled Cole Palmer as the leader of the Blues as he praised the England international for his incredible fitness.
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Palmer praised by Chelsea legend TerryLabels Palmer the leader in Maresca's squadSaw star beat team-mates in a bleep testFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Palmer has been in stellar form for Chelsea since he joined the Blues in the summer of 2023 from Manchester City. The 22-year-old has scored 39 goals and provided 21 assists in 78 appearances for the Blues since joining. Chelsea legend Terry has now praised the England starlet for his role as the side's leader, having watched him outlast his co-stars in a recent bleep test in training.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT TERRY SAID
Speaking to , Terry said: “He probably doesn't think: 'I'm a leader here', but he's leading the group with his standards – 'This is the standard you probably need to get up to. You need to get as fit as me'. From afar people look at captains and leadership as if you've got to be that big vocal guy, screaming, shouting, barking orders. I think it's very different now.
"A lot of players now do it in the way they're playing. He certainly falls under that category. Cole's probably leading the way he likes to lead. He's been incredible for us. He's taken a lot of the heat in terms of our dip, but also in terms of our first part of the season.
"It was probably all him, with his goals, contributions, work rate. Everything Chelsea were doing well revolved around him. Teams have obviously identified that he's the big threat and there needs to be a real focus."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Palmer has scored 14 goals and set up six more in the Premier League this season, but his performances of late have drawn criticism and the situation only worsened at the weekend when he missed a penalty for the first time since joining the London club.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?
Palmer's hopes of being involved in Thomas Tuchel's first match as England boss have been dashed by injury, and his participation with Chelsea after the international break will depend on when he will be declared fit.