31/08/2026
In August, 2023, Chelsea were so keen on landing Doku. It was the deal at hand. They had contemplated between him, Cherki & Barcola who would be the next young signing for Chelsea. Just like Scot, Camara, & Wharton are on the list today.
Then, on the 24th of August, Man City moved wild with oil money and signed Doku without a rigmarole in negotiation. It was swift and quick.
Lyon were hoping to raise the bar for Chelsea over Cherki or Barcola. There was a reality which Barcola was placed top.
6 days later, 30 of August, Chelsea got a whiff that Palmer, who was under the shadows of ebullient & Original KDB was elbowing his way out due to playing time & Pep has no need to contain him.
Todd Bohely & Sporting directors abandoned everything they were negotiating in France and took the next flight to Manchester with top speed: one would wonder what they saw in Palmer then.
Not many journalist saw it. Not even David or Ben Jacobs.
From the fans' end, it was something unexpected. Chelsea fans were expecting some convincing lad & at least a player with inevitable highlights. Just like that, Cherki's highlights were booming on YouTube & Facebook. Everyone was feeling peeved by the City's move on Doku. But the most saddening of it all, the Market was getting dry & thin.
Then, on the evening of 30th of August, came the news. Fabrizio broke it. Chelsea had made a move on Cole Palmer. The deal at final stages, and Palmer eager to join Chelsea.
He didn't say Chelsea have interest. Just plain & straight final stage breaking News.
Few minutes later.
HERE WE GO!
Chelsea have agreed to sign Cole Palmer for £40m + 5m add-ons.
The media erupted.
Who's Palmer? Who's this cockroach? Can he even hold the ball? Rival fans laughed. Chelsea fans laughed, too.
I would not lie to you, I didn't rate Palmer that much. I was one of the people who made ugly remarks about it. He didn't fit into the expectations I was looking for in the market.
But looking back now, one can say it's the best transfer of the new ownership. It came with a different philosophy and that philosophy has also brought Joao Pedro. Swift & spot on.
On this day, 31st August, 3 years ago, Cole Palmer became a true blue man from Manchester. Freezing Young & underrated Jermaine Cole Palmer!
