Cole Palmer: Will Chelsea superstar outdo Frank Lampard’s Premier League feat on the final day?

Cole Palmer has had a commendable debut season at Chelsea, and it could get even better when the Blues host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the Premier League campaign concludes. 

Palmer’s arrival last summer was derided by observers, who felt the club overpaid for the green Manchester City youngster, but the 22-year-old has delivered and then some for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. 

Chelsea’s Player of the Year has notched 22 Premier League goals in his first season as a regular in the top flight, and his 10 assists take him to 32 involvements in the 2023-24 season, joint-top with Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins. 

Only the Norwegian (8) has netted more match-winning strikes than Palmer (7) this term, underlining the former Man City player's impact in year one at Chelsea. 

Palmer’s latest goal against Brighton took him level with Frank Lampard’s feat, and the youngster could surpass an icon on Sunday. 

Chelsea’s leading goalscorer found the back of the net 211 times for the Blues during a trophy-laden period at the club, impressing with the consistency of his strikes across various seasons. 

While Lampard notched double figures for 10 seasons on the trot, his top-scoring campaign came in the West London club's title-winning campaign in 2009/10. 

Palmer equalled the erstwhile midfielder’s goal return against Brighton, and scoring against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on the final day means he surpasses the Chelsea legend’s best individual season in front of goal. 

Palmer and his teammates seek a fifth Premier League on the bounce on Sunday, keen to retain sixth place and possibly make a late play for fifth, even if that is contingent on Tottenham Hotspur losing at Sheffield United. 

Sixth guarantees Europa Conference League qualification, but the Blues could be elevated into the Europa League if Manchester United are beaten by their city rivals in next week’s FA Cup final.