Cole Palmer has been hailed as "one of the best in the world" by team-mate Reece James after playing his part in Chelsea's thrilling 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest. (More Football News)
England international Palmer superbly assisted Mykhailo Mudryk's early opener in Saturday's Premier Leagಌue contest, before Willy Boly's swift leveller and Callum Hudson-Odoi's second-half curler put Forest in front.
Chelsea pulled off a remarkable late turnarou🎃nd, however, as Raheem Sterling levelled up on 80 minutes and fellow substitute James assisted Nicolas Jackson's winner two minutes later at City Ground.
Palmer's assist means he has directly contributed t🔴o 31 goals in th🌱e Premier League this season, which is the joint-most in the division alongside Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the late win at Forest, ཧcaptain🍷 James said: "Cole Palmer is one of the best in the world, I think personally.
"At [Manchester] City he didn't play as much as he would like but he has come here a🉐nd taken the chance with both handsꦇ."
Palmer is just the fourth player in Premier League hi🐓story to score 20 or more goals and provide 10 or more assists in his debut campaign for ꦐa club.
The others on that prestige list are Andrew Cole with Newcastle United in 1993-94, Jurgen K✨linsmann with Tottenham in 1994-95 and Mohamed Salah with Liverpool in 2017-18.
The 22-year-✤old, stood alongside James, said of his colle𓃲ague's comments: "I wouldn't go that far! But it's nice to hear.
"It's all new to me. This is my first season playing properly in the league. 🌳It was a very impor✱tant win and now we focus on the next one."
Chelsea have now won thr🌜ee Premier League games in a row and are level on points with sixth-place Newc𓃲astle United.
Since Boxing Day, only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have picked up more points than Chelsea's 35 in the Premier League, while only leaders City🐼 have suffered fewer defeats.
James, who was making his ret𝐆urn from a five-month absence, added: "We learn every day.
"We're still young but we a🌊re improving and we're coming strong at the end of the season. Slowly but surely we are finding our feet and reaching a level."
