Cole Palmer has the “X-factor” to lead Chelsea to the Premier League title, says Paul Merson, and Jamie Carragher believes he could be Chelsea's “greatest ever”.
Chelsea fought back from two goals down to win 4-3 at London rivals Tottenham to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.
Palmer kept his cool at key moments to score twice from the penalty spot as he became the first player in Premier League history to score 12 consecutive kicks.
The England star also assisted Enzo Fernandez, which means no player in the Premier League has registered more goals since the start of last season than Palmer's tally of 50.
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Enzo Maresca has written off Chelsea's title chances claiming they are far from the finished product, joking that “Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool wouldn't slip up like Marc Cucurella”
“It's amazing,” Merson said.
“He was not known when he came from Man City, so it was a free kick for him. But in the last seven months, he is now a big boy.
“The name of the opposing game is to stop Cole Palmer. Teams are trying to stop him – and they can't. That shows you how he's too smart. Everyone needs the X-factor to win the Premier League with him.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Chelsea are now third in the odds to win the Premier League and are shorter in the bet than Manchester City. Enzo Maresca has put his side ahead of where many people expected Chelsea to be this season as the victory at Spurs was their 14th win from their last 20 goals in the Premier League.
Carra: Palmer on par with Hazard
Palmer's influence has been huge in getting Chelsea to challenge for the top, according to Carragher.
He said: “When you think of Chelsea's talented players like Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, I think Palmer has done more in 18 months than Zola and Zola is one of the best players ever at Chelsea.
“He's on the same level as Hazard and that came over four or five years.
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Chelsea stars past and present, Gianfranco Zola and Cole Palmer, decide who has the best first touch, the best skills, the free taker best and more!
“If he takes Chelsea to the title, he'll go down as one of the greatest players of all time if he keeps doing what he's doing. He is a special player.
“The Chelsea team is not a real story. This is a £1.2bn team, but what they are doing this season is completely unexpected. This club is right in the mix for a title challenge.
Maresca: Palmer is no ordinary player
Chelsea head coach Maresca understands Palmer's talent and potential better than most after coaching the striker through the ranks at former club Manchester City.
Asked after the win over Spurs whether he believes Palmer can now be considered the best player in the Premier League, Maresca said: “Cole belongs to that type of player, not ordinary players who they are, they are the best players.
“And top players, they do things that normal players or us say 'how can he do that?', it's because he's Cole, because he is at the top.We can expect this from Cole.
“I had Cole four years ago, so I've known him ever since. When he was with me in the U23s, he was one way, and now, he's just the same guy .Beautiful, humble, no frills and it's the best for young players.
Asked what he thought of Palmer's 'Panenka' spot-kick, Maresca replied: “The second penalty … it's cold!”
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