Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes Cole Palmer has the talent to challenge for next year’s Ballon d’Or, provided he continues his outstanding form for club and country.
Palmer has enjoyed a sensational rise since joining Chelsea, registering 32 goals and 20 assists in just 56 competitive appearances for the Blues.
Softfootball understands that Zola sees the England international as one of the game’s brightest young stars but believes there are still areas of his game that can be refined.
The Italian icon pointed to Palmer’s physical development as the next step in his evolution, suggesting the midfielder can become even more effective by improving his speed and strength in one-on-one situations.
Zola believes those improvements, combined with Palmer’s exceptional technical ability and impressive statistics, could put him firmly in contention for football’s biggest individual prize.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining his excellent performances for Chelsea while increasing his influence with the England national team.
The former Chelsea playmaker praised Palmer’s football intelligence, particularly his ability to anticipate passes and make decisions before receiving the ball—qualities he considers among the rarest in modern football.
Zola singled out Palmer’s assist for Pedro Neto as an example of his exceptional vision, explaining that the midfielder’s awareness allows him to stay one step ahead of opponents.
He added that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is well placed to help Palmer continue his development and maximise his enormous potential in the years ahead.
