Pep Guardiola maybe one of the greatest ever football minds, but Danny Murphy believes he dropped the ball with Cole Palmer.
Palmer has been sensational this season having taken the plunge of leaving treble winners Manchester City for mid-table Chelsea in the summer, and he showed his class and then some during their latest outing.
In the space of just 16 first-half minutes, Palmer scored a stunning hat-trick to put Chelsea firmly in charge at home to Everton on Monday night. Nicolas Jackson scored the fourth to put them 4-0 up at half time.
Palmer wasn’t done after the break as his penalty saw him net his fourth and Chelsea’s fifth of the night in what was a dominant 6-0 victory for them with 20-year-old Alfie Gilchrist scoring his first ever Chelsea goal late on.
The latest exploits see Palmer notch up his 25th goal this term, 20 in the Premier League, with many claiming he’s the Premier League’s signing of the season.
And with Manchester City not always having it their own way this season, Murphy suggested that Guardiola’s decision to let the 21-year-old go may have been short-sighted.
“We eulogise what Pep Guardiola’s done for this game but he’s got this one wrong. Pep’s made a mistake selling this kid,” Murphy said on commentary for talkSPORT.
Guardiola may not have seen the best of Palmer but Murphy is desperate for England boss Gareth Southgate reap the benefits of the player’s brilliant ability.
And while Palmer only has two appearances to his name for England’s senior side, Murphy feels he’s ready to play a key role for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
“I’ve been so impressed with him and his temperament. I would [start him] if I was Gareth,” Murphy told talkSPORT.
“I’d have Bellingham and Rice and I’d have Palmer as no.10, Foden and Saka wide, Kane up top and just go hell for leather.”
“Play Bellingham a little closer to Rice, ‘go do your thing and if we’re under pressure drop back in.’ He’s got a wonderful tenacity and athleticism.
“I know it takes away from his forward ability but we haven’t got another midfielder who is as quick and strong and tenacious as Bellingham to play alongside Rice anyway.”
News Summary:
- Danny Murphy says Pep Guardiola has made a mistake selling Cole Palmer as plea issued to Gareth Southgate
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