Cole Palmer has defiantly named Chelsea’s best player of the season following the impressive 3-1 win over Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Blues put in a great performance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to ensure they kept pace in the race for Champions League qualification.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring within three minutes before Chelsea doubled their advantage after the break thanks to a Jarell Quansah own goal.
Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for Liverpool late on before Moises Caicedo won a penalty in injury-time which Palmer converted to end his goal-drought.
The England international – who called out ‘social media idiots’ in his post-match interview – was named player of the match by Gary Neville.
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However, the attacking midfielder made it clear he felt someone else deserved the award, heaping praise on one of his teammates.
‘Today I felt confident, I was trying things, first time passes, playing forward. When you have got him [Caicedo] in front of you, it’s a dream,’ Palmer told Sky Sports, with Caicedo stood next to him.
‘He’s a machine. From the start of the season, he has been our best player.
‘Wins the ball back all the time. Always 100 per cent everyday. Humble, nice to everyone and everyone loves him.’
Caicedo was keen to return the compliments to Palmer, saying: ‘Cole is an amazing guy, always trying hard.
Is Moises Caicedo Chelsea’s player of the season?
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Yes
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No
‘So happy for him. He help us a lot even when he didn’t score. He’s a great guy and he deserves everything.’
Asked whether he agreed with the player of the match decision, Palmer jested: ‘I mean, I’ll take it!’ before Caicedo said: ‘No, he deserves it.’
Caicedo struggled at Stamford Bridge in his first season since joining from Brighton in a deal worth up to £115million – the most expensive in Chelsea’s history.
The defensive midfielder has looked much improved this campaign though, and has proved to be a versatile asset, starting at right-back against Liverpool.
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