Ally McCoist Explains Why Cole Palmer Hasn’t Reached World-Class Status Yet
Ally McCoist, a renowned football pundit, has made a bold claim regarding Chelsea’s standout performer, Cole Palmer, by arguing that the young star, while impressive, is not yet deserving of the “world-class” title.
Since his £40 million move from Manchester City last summer, Palmer, 22, has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge. In 54 appearances, the left-footed forward has netted 31 goals and contributed 20 assists, establishing himself as one of Chelsea’s most potent attacking threats. His seamless transition into the Blues’ setup under both Mauricio Pochettino last season and new manager Enzo Maresca this term has only added to the growing buzz around him.
Despite Palmer’s rapid rise, McCoist believes it’s too early to place him among the game’s elite. Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said, “Probably or arguably the best player in the league at this moment in time. Phenomenal goalscoring return and assist. Not done it for long enough, not world-class. It’s about longevity.”
Here is a look at Palmer’s senior record so far in his career:
Season | Club | First-team appearances | Goals | Assists |
2024/25 | Chelsea | 9 | 6 | 5 |
2023/24 | Manchester City + Chelsea | 48 | 27 | 15 |
2022/23 | Manchester City | 25 | 1 | 1 |
2021/22 | Manchester City | 11 | 3 | 1 |
2020/21 | Manchester City | 2 | 0 | 0 |
While McCoist acknowledges Palmer’s extraordinary form, he emphasizes that true world-class players maintain their performances over an extended period. “Longevity” is the key factor, according to McCoist, who points to past Chelsea legends like Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba, who built their world-class reputations over many seasons.
Palmer’s current stats are undeniably impressive, and he’s already being hailed as one of Chelsea’s best signings in recent years. However, McCoist’s view reflects the belief that it takes more than a stellar season or two to be classified as world-class. The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or even Chelsea’s own past icons reached their heights through sustained brilliance over many years.
Chelsea’s current squad, while brimming with young talent, still lacks the abundance of established world-class players from its past eras. For now, Palmer remains a shining star with immense potential—but according to McCoist, time will tell if he can truly reach the upper echelon of football greatness.
Ally McCoist Explains Why Cole Palmer Hasn’t Reached World-Class Status Yet