Cole Palmer, a rising star in English football, is reportedly making moves behind the scenes to recruit one of his England teammates to join him at Chelsea this summer. Although Palmer didn’t start for England during Euro 2024, he was instrumental in Gareth Southgate’s squad, which impressively reached the final for the second consecutive tournament.
At just 22 years old, Palmer made his mark in the quarter-finals by coming off the bench and playing a pivotal role in England’s triumph over Switzerland. In the nail-biting penalty shootout, Palmer confidently stepped up to score the first penalty, setting the tone for England’s victory. His influence didn’t wane in the semi-finals against the Netherlands, where, once again as a late substitute, he delivered a crucial pass that enabled Ollie Watkins to score the decisive goal in the 91st minute, securing England’s spot in the final.
In the much-anticipated final against Spain, both Palmer and Watkins were brought on as substitutes in a bid to change the game’s dynamics. Palmer did not disappoint; he demonstrated his skill and composure by netting a remarkable strike that brought England level. This display of on-field chemistry between Palmer and Watkins has reportedly translated into off-field camaraderie as well. According to Football Insider, Palmer is now actively trying to persuade Watkins to leave Aston Villa and join him at Chelsea.
Sources reveal that Palmer has engaged in discussions with Watkins, proposing that they could form a powerful attacking partnership at Chelsea under the leadership of manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea, keen on bolstering their attacking options this summer, has identified Watkins as a prime target. The 28-year-old striker had a stellar season with Aston Villa, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League and playing a pivotal role in Villa’s qualification for the Champions League.
To smooth the path for this potential transfer, Chelsea is reportedly prepared to offer Conor Gallagher to Aston Villa. Gallagher has been a long-term target for Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, and his inclusion in the deal could facilitate negotiations between the two clubs.
This pursuit of new talent is part of Chelsea’s broader strategy to strengthen their squad. Since the club’s acquisition by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, Chelsea has invested over £1 billion in new signings. This summer, they have already made significant acquisitions, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, and Marc Guiu.
As the transfer window advances, the football world watches with keen interest to see if Palmer’s efforts to bring Watkins to Chelsea will bear fruit. What is clear, however, is that Chelsea is determined to enhance their squad ahead of the new season, reflecting their ambitious vision under new ownership. The addition of Watkins could be a significant step in this ongoing transformation, potentially giving Chelsea the firepower they need to compete at the highest levels domestically and in Europe.