Cole Palmer hailed as the 'signing of the season' by Joe Cole after his late double earned dramatic 4-3 win for Chelsea over Man United... as Blues icon urges club to 'build a team around him'

Joe Cole has paid Cole Palmer a huge compliment by naming him the 'signing of the season' after yet another stunning performance for Chelsea. 

Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge for £42.5million back in the summer after he left boyhood club Manchester City in pursuit of more first-team game time, and has found just that in west London. 

Since arriving as past of another expensive transfer window for the Blues, Palmer has emerged as the key man up top for Chelsea, and netted a hat-trick in a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United.

While Chelsea's inconsistencies have drawn plenty of scrutiny throughout 2023-24, Palmer's continued class during the campaign has been a point of much-needed positivity at Stamford Bridge. 

The forward is now well within a shout of getting a spot on the plane to Germany this summer for the European Championship, and Cole was full of praise for the versatile attacker's professionalism, calm, and ability at just 21.  

'What's even more remarkable is, the way he was talking to Jules, he just scored a last minute goal - it was like he just got off the sofa, he's got his cocoa in his hand, and he's ready for bed,' said the former Blues star on TNT Sports.

So composed is Palmer at such a young age - he also netted twice from the spot, including in the 100th minute to level the tie - that he also earned comparisons to another young English star.  

'He's the coolest man in the building,' Cole continued. 'These fans love him. Cause there's no experienced players around, you're looking for someone who's got something magical. You watch Jude Bellingham, he's not 20 years old.

'You feel the same with Cole Palmer. From Manchester United's perspective, in a crucial point of the game, how can you let the best player on the pitch have the time to take a touch in the box and strike it.

'Even he must be thinking, what's going on here? How have I got this time? He's been remarkable. I would say, signing of the season.

'He's taken this team by the scruff of the neck, and gone, "you're my team. I'm the one that's going to drag this team through". Absolutely build a team around him. He has the personality for it. Nobody thought he would miss this. Cool as you like.'

Palmer himself spoke of how the win for the Blues could be used to build up some much-needed 'momentum' after a trying campaign. 

Chelsea are currently sat in 10th after the victory, but after a stunning display of Premier League football on Thursday night, few Blues fans will be dwelling on that fact. 

The hosts had raced into the lead courtesy of Conor Gallagher's fourth-minute opener, before Palmer added a second on 19 minutes to see the Blues race into a 1-0 lead. 

But by the break, United had drawn level, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes with the strikes for Erik ten Hag's side. 

Garnacho then made it 3-2 as the game twisted once more, finishing after a sublime trevola assist from Antony, but Palmer had the last laugh - twice in fact - with his ice-cold late strikes. 

The relationship between both club and supporters had seemed at a low ahead of the game, with pressure increasing on Mauricio Pochettino after the below-par campaign, although any scrutiny will perhaps be fading after his side's heroics.