Cole Palmer remarkable rise at Chelsea has hit a new high. The 22-year-old star earned a place in the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for 2025, after over 26,000 professional footballers voted for the best players of the 2024/25 season.
Recognition for an unforgettable year
Since the prize began in 2005, Cole Palmer is the ninth Chelsea men’s player to be chosen for the elite squad, having been joined by Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in 2021. It finishes a remarkable season for the midfielder, who tallied 32 goal involvements , scoring 18 goals and assisting 14 more goals in all competitions.
The forward opened the season with an accurate lob in a 6-2 win at Wolves, taking home both the Premier League Player and Chelsea Goal of the Month awards in August. He became the first player in Premier League history to score four times in first half of a match and achieved this feat twice in top-flight history, putting him on the same level as club legends. His magnificent free-kick against Brighton and calm Panenka against Tottenham were classic examples of his style and confidence.
Big moments on the biggest stages
Palmer’s creativity was crucial, especially as Chelsea contested for European dominance. He turned the UEFA Conference League final as two assists nullified a 1-0 first-half scoreline to a 4-1 superlative victory . Moreover, Palmer’s show continued in the USA, where he scored against Palmeiras before producing two goals and an assist in the 3-0 victory against PSG, hence, the Golden Ball awarded to the best player in the competition.
Author’s opinion
Palmer’s inclusion in the FIFPRO World XI was more than simple personal glory – it’s a symbol of Chelsea’s resurgence under Maresca. Palmer’s technical acuity and unwavering cool changed the focus of what the “Blues” attack was. If the Englishman continues in this vein, his side’s future is just as bright as his.
