Ahead of Drogba & Lampard? Palmer’s record compared to Chelsea greats after first 100 games

Signing of the decade? ©TM/IMAGO When Chelsea forked out €47 million to bring in Cole Palmer from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, it seemed a bit steep given that he had only played 492 minutes in the Premier League. Fast forward two years and the 23-year-old could well go down as one of the greatest signings in Premier League history. He has a current market value of €120m and is regarded as one of the greatest attacking midfielders in world football. Palmer made his Champions League bow for Chelsea this Wednesday at the Allianz Arena, and although it ended in a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, the match marked a special milestone for the attacker. Palmer was once again his team’s best player, and found the back of the net with a superb goal on the counter attack. The match in Bavaria was Palmer’s 100th in Chelsea colours, and his record in his first century of games for the Blues is nothing short of sensational. He has scored 45 goals, whilst providing a further 29 assists. Palmer has become the heartbeat of this Chelsea team. Now that Palmer has passed this special milestone, here at Transfermarkt, we compare his record in his first 100 games to Chelsea greats of yesteryear, and take a look at his numbers compared to other Premier League stars since he first put on the Blues’ strip in 2023. 100 games of Cole Palmer at Chelsea – 3rd most goal contributions in PL If we take a look at how many goal contributions (goals + assists) every Premier League player has provided in all competitions since Palmer made his Chelsea debut on September 2, 2023, only two players can better the Stamford Bridge man’s numbers. As illustrated in the graphic below, last season’s Premier League Player of the Season, Mohamed Salah (98), and Man City goal machine, Erling Haaland (86) are the only players with more goal contributions than Palmer’s 74. Palmer is ahead of Ollie Watkins (67), Bruno Fernandes (65), Bukayo Saka (61), Phil Foden (59) and Alexander Isak (58). Considering he had signed for a new club and was adapting to new surroundings, added to the fact Chelsea haven’t been title challengers, Palmer’s record is simply fantastic. Nobody could have expected he would have an impact quite like he has during his first two seasons at the Bridge. And if we compare his record after 100 games to many of the Chelsea greats that came before him, it has Palmer dining at the top table. Cole Palmer vs Chelsea greats – Record after first 100 games As highlighted in the graphic above, only one player in the history of Chelsea football club has provided more goal contributions than Palmer in their first 100 games. Former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink managed 77 goal contributions, with the Dutchman scoring 57 goals and providing 20 assists. Palmer beats club royalty such as Jimmy Greaves (73), Didier Drogba (70) and Eden Hazard (58). And when compare his record to the man many consider to be Chelsea’s greatest ever attacking midfielder, Frank Lampard, Palmer is on another level. Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League with 177 goals, but In his first 100 matches for the club in all competitions he managed just 15. That’s exactly three times less than Palmer’s 45. The Blues’ legend also was only able to provide eight assists in first 100 outings – less than three times Palmer’s 29. Lampard’s longevity was of course a huge factor in why he is so adored at Stamford Bridge and if Palmer can get anywhere near replicating that, he won’t have to buy a drink in that part of west London again. The 23-year-old talent has made a lighting start to his Chelsea career.