COLE PALMER gave a cheeky response when he was asked how prepared he is for the season after spearheading Chelsea to all three points against Fulham.
The Blues got Xabi Alonso’s reign off to the perfect start as they notched a 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage.
Cole Palmer was on post-match media duties alongside Morgan Rogers Credit: Sky Sports
The attacking midfielder spearheaded Chelsea to victory against Fulham Credit: Getty
And Palmer, 24, was the star of the show as he bagged what proved to be the winner in the West London derby.
The Chelsea livewire then showed his comedic side when he showed up for post-match media duties alongside fellow goalscorer Morgan Rogers after the final whistle.
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Sky Sports reporter Emma Saunders asked: “How ready are you this season?”
Palmer, who was a shock absentee from England’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, replied: “Did you not watch the game?
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“I’m only joking. I’m ready. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot.
“But through the summer and since I’ve been back [for pre-season], I’ve worked extra hard.
“Obviously, I worked on the injuries that I had to prevent them happening again. When I work hard day in, day out, I know the talent I’ve got.
“Normally I’m not really an emotional person. I’m not really too bothered about many things in life. But over the summer I was recharged. I’m ready and I’m hungry.”
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Palmer grabbed an assist as Joao Pedro wrote his name into the history books in the narrow win over Fulham.
The Brazilian notched the quickest goal on the opening matchday of a Premier League season by finding the net inside 31 SECONDS.
Rogers and Palmer were then on target either side of half-time as Chelsea made a winning start to the campaign.
The former Manchester City talent was restricted to just 24 Premier League starts last term.
Palmer was the star of the show Credit: Reuters
A recurring groin problem, first suffered in the warm-up before a 5-1 thumping of West Ham, forced Palmer to miss large spells of the campaign.
And it ultimately cost the attacking midfielder a place in England’s star-studded World Cup squad.
Chelsea player ratings: Joao Pedro makes mockery of No9 curse as Sanchez shows new keeper needed after win over Fulham
Chelsea might be a little cold, after all.
Joao Pedro got Chelsea‘s season off to the perfect start after just 31 seconds with a delightful chip over Bernd Leno, having been set up by Cole Palmer in a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage.
But with the lead in their hands, Chelsea showed the same signals of distress that we saw under Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane – a lack of discipline and too many silly mistakes.
Josh King bought the scores level with a powerful effort after 23 minutes, but Robert Sanchez should have done better to stop it.
With Chelsea in need of a goal before half-time to calm things down, enter stage left, Morgan Rogers.
Maxence Lacroix could have got a nose bleed with how high up the pitch he found himself, but instead weaved his way into the box and delivered the ball across the box for Rogers to finish.
With Pedro and Rogers on the scoresheet, it was time for Palmer to join in the action.
Pedro controlled the ball brilliantly and held it up just as well before laying the ball off to his teammate who slotted through Leno’s legs to give the Blues breathing room and wrap up the win despite another Fulham goal from Gonzalo Garcia.
Find out how JattvibeSport Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the players here…
