Sky Sports pundit thinks £42.5m ‘wonderful’ Chelsea signing would have been better off at Tottenham instead
Phil Bardsley, a former defender for Manchester United, has opined that Cole Palmer could have been better suited at Tottenham Hotspur.
Cole Palmer has joined Chelsea, but one pundit thinks he should have joined West Ham United or Tottenham Hotspur instead.
Phil Bardsley, a commentator, expressed the opinion to Sky Sports on the day of the transfer deadline (09/01, 10am).
As the final day of the window approached, the former Manchester United defender and Darren Moore were serving as pundits.
In light of Cole Palmer’s massive £42.5 million transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea, Bardsley was questioned about the player.
Some find it surprising that City would sell to Chelsea, while others find Palmer’s signing by the Blues odd given that they only recently acquired Noni Madueke.
Given the competition at Stamford Bridge, Bardsley claimed that leaving City for Chelsea in quest of first-team play was an odd choice.
The former Sunderland player thinks Palmer could have really been better off joining West Ham United or Tottenham Hotspur because they would have been better for his playing goals.
“You’re bringing up Palmer’s need for regular football. It’s probably extremely improbable that, at this point, he will play ahead of Sterling and Nkunku on the left, if you’re going to Chelsea, said Bardsley. “If he wanted to play consistent football, I think a West Ham or a Spurs could have been a better fit for him at this point in his career. However, it is what it is. He made the decision, and so did Manchester City, the speaker said.
Cole Palmer made an impact on his Chelsea debut
Under Todd Boehly, Chelsea crossed the $1 billion spending barrier, but under Mauricio Pochettino, they are still far from where they need to be.
That was best expressed in Saturday’s setback to Nottingham Forest, which Chelsea lost 1-0 despite failing to score.
Palmer didn’t get the game going, but when he did, he made one important pass and three successful dribbles while looking sharp.
With Chelsea in need of a creative spark following the international break, Palmer will undoubtedly try to push for starts.
Although Palmer was undoubtedly on West Ham’s radar before they signed Mohammed Kudus, we can understand Bardsley’s ideas.
Tottenham might be less likely because they already have Dejan Kulusevski, who has yet to demonstrate that he is the right match for Ange Postecoglou.
Due to the Australian’s desire for a faster assault, Spurs chose to invest in Brennan Johnson rather than someone like Palmer.