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He must have been good! - Cole Palmer gives hilarious response to comparisons with 'FIFA icon' Gianfranco Zola after firing Chelsea to crucial victory over Newcastle
Palmer's cheeky response to Zola comparisons
Cole Palmer has joked that Gianfranco Zola "must have been a good player" after being compared to the Chelsea legend following his starring role in the Blues' 3-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
The 20-year-old scored Chelsea's second goal at St James' Park, adding to Raheem Sterling's opener before Christian Pulisic wrapped up the points late on.
Palmer's performance was widely praised, with many fans and pundits comparing him to Zola, who is considered one of the greatest players in Chelsea's history.
When asked about the comparisons after the game, Palmer said: "I've seen a few people saying that. I've never really watched him play, but I've heard he was a very good player.
"If I can be compared to him, then he must have been good!"
Palmer's impressive performance
Palmer's performance against Newcastle was one of his best in a Chelsea shirt. He was a constant threat to the Newcastle defence, creating several chances for his teammates and scoring a superb goal himself.
The youngster's goal was a fine example of his technical ability. He received the ball from Pulisic on the left wing, cut inside and curled a shot into the top corner of the net.
It was a goal that would have been worthy of Zola himself, and it helped Chelsea to secure an important victory in the race for a top-four finish.
Chelsea's title hopes
Chelsea's win over Newcastle keeps them in the hunt for a top-four finish. The Blues are now fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with two games to play.
Chelsea's remaining two games are against Leicester and Watford. If they can win both of those games, they will need Tottenham to drop points in one of their two remaining matches in order to qualify for the Champions League.
It is a tough ask, but Chelsea will be hoping that Palmer can continue to perform at a high level and help them achieve their goal.
Conclusion
Cole Palmer's performance against Newcastle was a reminder of his vast potential. He is a player with all the attributes to become a top-class footballer, and he is already making a big impact at Chelsea.
If Palmer can continue to develop at this rate, he could become one of the best players in the world. He has the talent, the determination, and the work ethic to reach the very top, and he has already shown that he can perform on the big stage.
"He must have been good!" - Cole Palmer gives hilarious response to comparisons with 'FIFA icon' Gianfranco Zola after firing Chelsea to crucial victory over Newcastle