Former Chelsea defender William Gallas claims that Cole Palmer is the favourite to win this season’s PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The 21-year-old has been in scintillating form since arriving from Manchester City last summer and, speaking to Lord Ping, Gallas said the attacking midfielder would be fully deserving of the accolade:

“Palmer is the best Chelsea player. He’s had a brilliant season individually, and I think he will be recognised with the Premier League Young Player of the Year award. He should definitely win it.”

“The players around him, who have been brought for a lot of money, these players are not at his level. We expect them to be top players because of the amount of money that was spent on them, but they are not at Palmer’s level yet.”

Palmer’s season in numbers

The midfielder has scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in 39 appearances for Chelsea. Even before his move to Stamford Bridge, he had managed to score 2 goals for City in 3 games, taking his total to 25 in all competitions.

Palmer has averaged 5.43 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, putting him in the top 10% of all attacking midfielders/wingers in Europe’s top 5 leagues. He is also in the top 10% for progressive passes, averaging 6.21 per 90.

Who will the Chelsea star be competing against for the PFA Young Player of the Year?

With Erling Haaland not currently one of the favourites for the Player of the Year prize, he has been touted for the Young Player of the Year award instead.

The Norwegian international is likely to present stiff competition for Palmer, along with the likes of Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, as well as Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.

Fans will have to wait a while before they find out whether Palmer wins, though, as the award ceremony is expected to take place in August.