Zola: Palmer Needs to Improve Physicality, Will Win Ballon d’Or in the Future

In Chelsea’s victory over Newcastle, Palmer was named the man of the match, and coach Mariscalca compared Palmer to Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola. Zola, who was at Stamford Bridge, told the Mirror that Palmer could win the Ballon d’Or in the future.

Zola commented on Palmer’s strengths: “His first pass to Neto was a brilliant piece of play. He saw the passing lane before he received the ball, which is a skill he is working on. Such performances often impress me. Most players hope to do something after receiving the ball, but clearly, if you think about what you want to do before you receive it, you can be one step ahead.”

Palmer scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and had an excellent performance at Euro 2024, earning him a place on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. Zola pointed out that if Palmer continues to improve rapidly, he has the potential to win the award in the future: “He is still very young and needs to work hard on the pitch to become better. One thing is certain, and that is his physique. He can become a bit faster and stronger in one-on-one situations. I believe his mind is very quick, so he must also make his body faster. If he does, he can compete for the Ballon d’Or because his track record and technical ability are there. There is a long way to go, but he has the potential to achieve it. Mariscalca is an excellent coach, and I believe he will ensure Palmer’s progress.”

Zola also discussed Chelsea’s improvement: “I see a clear direction in the team; they know what to do. Defensively, the team still needs to improve, but I see some positive changes happening, which makes me happy. This is something the players have been working on in training, and they are doing well.”