Why Palmer's quick thinking shows he's a special player

When Cole Palmer received the ball from Enzo Fernandez in a tight area outside the box against Newcastle United on Monday, there seemed little time for him to think about anything other than getting a hopeful shot off.

There may even have appeared to be an element of fortune about his goal, as the ball flew through the legs of defender Sven Botman on its way into the bottom corner.

But Palmer revealed in a post-match interview just how much information he took in during those split-seconds, and how quickly he made the crucial decision of which corner to aim for.

Asked by Michael Owen if he always planned to aim for the near post, Palmer said: "No. When I received the ball I've seen the defender's pretty close to me, and I've seen the 'keeper go to his right. So if I shaped it [towards the far post] he would have just caught it.

"[The defender's] legs were open, so I thought, 'If I strike it clean through his legs it will go in.' "

For former Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker, that incredible quick thinking is the sign of an elite player.

"The game becomes still for him," says Parker. "He's describing in that moment, in that pocket, he's seen that the [defender] has got his legs open and [the goalkeeper] has moved to the right.

"It's just the pictures that certain players process in split-seconds. He's having to process all of this information in such a small space of time.

"In those moments like when you're running through on goal, there's loads of pictures that you're framing in your head as a player, which are constantly changing.

"And the best players, while they're constantly changing, they get to the point where they think, 'Right, I can see his legs are open, I can see he's gone to the right, I need to go near post.' And it's the difference between top and average, and I think it's evident why this boy is a top player."

Owen agrees, adding: "Exactly that. I've said before there are lots of players who are physically the same, but it's the split-second judgements between your ears that makes the good and the great."

Club News Palmer reflects on a ‘passionate’ win over Newcastle External Link

Palmer reflects on a ‘passionate’ win over Newcastle

Cole Palmer was delighted to get on the scoresheet and contribute to Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle during a ‘passionate’ display at Stamford Bridge.

Owen, who scored 40 goals for England, believes Palmer now has a chance of forcing his way into the national squad for this summer's European Championship.

"I like him a lot," says Owen. "He's making a really late run for the Euros squad I would have thought, for England. Gareth Southgate must be watching. I know he was there [at the match against Newcastle].

"There are so many good players in that position - [James] Maddison, [Phil] Foden, [Jack] Grealish, [Marcus] Rashford, [Bukayo] Saka, so many good English attacking players at the moment. But he's just in real form. I love the way he plays."

Palmer is not getting ahead of himself, though. 

Asked by Owen if he is eyeing a place in the England squad for the Euros, the 21-year-old said: "No, not yet. There are a lot of games to go, there are many players in my position, a lot of talent, so I just need to take it game by game and see where it takes me."