Jamie Carragher agrees with Gary Lineker's controversial Cole Palmer verdict

The plaudits continue to come for Cole Palmer following his first half hat-trick against Brighton, with Jamie Carragher joining Gary Lineker in hailing the Chelsea talisman

Jamie Carragher has concurred with Gary Lineker’s declaration that Cole Palmer could be the best player in England.

Following a brilliant first season at Chelsea and a goal in the Euro 2024 final, Palmer has taken his game to new heights. After hitting four goals in the first half against Brighton at the weekend, he is set to play a key role in the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Finland.

As well as becoming Chelsea’s talisman, Palmer has almost reached undroppable status for his country, with Lineker lauding the 22-year-old's class on Match of the Day and boldly suggesting he might now be the country’s most talented player.

The former England striker declared: “Every time I see him, he takes my breath away. An extraordinary footballer. Of all the talented players England have got, he might be the best of the lot.”

Former Liverpool defender Carragher is similarly impressed. The Sky Sports pundit picked Phil Foden as the Premier League’s standout player of last season. However, he now believes Palmer is eclipsing his former Manchester City team-mate.

“Last season I was a little bit reticent to say that he was the best player in the Premier League,” said Carragher on Sky Sports. “It actually felt he was, but the fact that Chelsea hadn’t had such a great season.

“And I ended up going for Foden just above him and most people thought the same, as Foden got the two player of the year awards, but inside I felt he was the best player in the Premier League.

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“And on the back of last season and this season, if he carries on this again through this season, I think he is the best player in the Premier League, I do. He is not playing with the absolute elite, sort of Manchester City, he has moved on from there.”

Palmer missed the last round of internationals through injury but is back in Lee Carsley’s squad. The interim boss is delighted but not surprised by Palmer’s progress.

“I’ve known Cole for a number of years and seen how he’s progressed,” said Carsley, who worked with Palmer in England's Under-21s set-up. “Every challenge put in front of him he takes in his stride, he doesn’t get too high or too low, it’s great to see him doing well.”

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