Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has hailed the club’s big-money summer arrivals, insisting that Enzo Maresca’s side should be aiming for trophies this season.
The 22-year-old praised Joao Pedro and Liam Delap as standout signings, noting their impact both in training and on the pitch.
His comments come after Chelsea ended last season with Champions League qualification, a Conference League title win over Real Betis, and a Club World Cup triumph against Paris Saint-Germain.
Those achievements, Palmer believes, have shifted expectations at Stamford Bridge.
“Yeah, definitely,” he told NBC Sports when asked if the pressure had increased following Chelsea’s global success.
“The way the club’s going, the direction, everyone’s excited. We should be winning trophies.”
Among the Blues’ £250m transfer outlay, Palmer said he has already developed strong chemistry with Joao Pedro, who arrived from Brighton in a £60m move.
“He’s so good, man. I love playing with him,” Palmer said. “Even in training we just have good chemistry and know where each other are going to be. To see it in person was really good.”
Palmer also tipped new forward Liam Delap, signed from Ipswich Town for £30m, to give Chelsea a fresh dimension in attack.
“He’s something different… more old-school, aggressive, runs in behind. He’s a handful for defenders and one of the best finishers I’ve seen,” Palmer explained.
“Hopefully those two together score some goals between them.”
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea bounced back from a shaky mid-season spell to end the campaign strongly.
Winning European silverware and defeating PSG for the Club World Cup has fueled optimism among fans.
Palmer suggested that such victories have not only boosted confidence but also set higher standards for the squad.
“The way the club’s going, the direction, everyone’s excited,” he repeated. “We should be winning trophies.”
Chelsea opened their new Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace.
However, the team faces a tough test with back-to-back London derbies against West Ham and Fulham later this month.
For Palmer, the blend of new signings and experienced players could prove vital in navigating these early challenges.
With the likes of Pedro and Delap adding variety to the attack, the Blues appear well-positioned to compete for major honors this season.
