
Cole Palmer Backed to Reach Zinedine Zidane Level With Help of Chelsea’s New Signings
Pat Nevin Warns Against Messi & Ronaldo Comparisons but Predicts a Big Season for Blues No.10
Cole Palmer’s meteoric rise at Chelsea has already put him among English football’s brightest talents, but now a club legend believes he could reach the level of one of the game’s most elegant icons—Zinedine Zidane—if given the right support.
The 23-year-old playmaker, who took Stamford Bridge by storm in his debut 2023-24 campaign with 25 goals in all competitions and a PFA Young Player of the Year award, experienced a slight dip in output last season. Even so, he played a key role in helping Chelsea lift both the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
This summer, Palmer has been handed the coveted No.10 shirt—a symbolic move that signals the Blues’ belief in his ability to become their creative heartbeat. With new attacking reinforcements in Estevão Willian and Jamie Gittens arriving to share the load, there is a growing sense that Palmer could be on the verge of his best season yet.
The Zidane Comparison

Cole Palmer Chelsea 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, speaking to Compare.bet, was quick to underline that the comparison to France’s 1998 World Cup-winning genius is not out of place—though it comes with caveats.
“The comparison between Cole Palmer and Zinedine Zidane was fine a year ago. It wasn’t fine last year. But it could be fine again.
Look, he is definitely a world-class player. He’s still very, very young. Remember back in the Euros and it was all about a lot of other players—Cole seemed to be sitting on the bench. And I was thinking, ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing that?’ He should be on.”
For Nevin, Palmer’s blend of vision, close control, and composure under pressure evokes shades of Zidane at his best. But crucially, he insists that such comparisons can only be justified if Palmer delivers consistently over multiple seasons.
Why Messi and Ronaldo Are Off Limits
Nevin also urged caution when it comes to measuring Palmer against Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—two players who dominated world football for over a decade.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi—don’t compare anyone with that because it’s not fair. But the next level beneath, I think he’s pretty close there already as it is, but he needs to do it year in, year out. And last year was quite a year.”
That “next level” includes modern greats who, while not matching the otherworldly numbers of Messi and Ronaldo, have defined eras with their creativity, decision-making, and influence in the biggest games. Nevin believes Palmer is already approaching that tier.
How Estevão and Gittens Can Help

Cole Palmer Zinedine Zidane
The arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Estevão Willian and English winger Jamie Gittens is expected to give Chelsea a more dynamic and unpredictable front line. Nevin believes their presence could be the key to unlocking Palmer’s full potential.
“What’s going to help him this year is the players around him—Estevão and Jamie Gittens—they’re probably going to make it a bit easier for him and everybody else getting stronger.”
With defences now having more threats to track, Palmer should enjoy greater freedom in the final third. That could translate into more space to dictate play, more opportunities to create, and ultimately, the chance to post numbers closer to his remarkable debut season.
Palmer’s Path to the Top
Palmer’s first year at Chelsea was nothing short of explosive—arriving from Manchester City with potential, he wasted no time becoming a talisman under pressure. His combination of flair and end product instantly endeared him to fans.
Last season, however, while silverware arrived, his numbers dipped. Part of that was due to opposition defences adjusting to his threat, and part due to Chelsea’s inconsistent form in the league.
The 2025-26 campaign represents a fresh challenge: with the No.10 shirt comes both responsibility and opportunity. If Palmer thrives, Chelsea could have a player capable of defining their next era.
The Road to Crystal Palace and Beyond
Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan will offer the first glimpse of how Palmer, Estevão, and Gittens combine in Enzo Maresca’s evolving system. Then, on August 17, the Blues will kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace—an early chance for Palmer to stamp his authority on the season.
For Nevin, the formula is simple: keep Palmer fit, surround him with high-quality teammates, and give him the platform to lead.
Final Word
Cole Palmer may never be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—and that’s fine. Very few players in history could be. But if he continues to develop, adds year-on-year consistency, and thrives alongside Chelsea’s exciting new arrivals, he could legitimately stand alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane in football’s creative pantheon.
The 2025-26 season could be the one where Palmer moves from being Chelsea’s rising star to one of the game’s defining playmakers. And if Pat Nevin’s prediction proves accurate, Stamford Bridge might just be watching the rebirth of a modern Zidane in blue.
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