David Luiz played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz says England star Cole Palmer is on ‘another level’.
Palmer has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past 18 months, going from a bit-part player at Manchester City to a Premier League superstar.
The likeable and hugely talented playmaker made 41 appearances for boyhood club Man City before completing a £40m move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
Given his lack of minutes under Pep Guardiola, that fee raised some eyebrows but Palmer has proven to be an absolute bargain for big-spending Chelsea.
Palmer was named the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year and the Premier League Young Player of the Year after a breakout first season at Stamford Bridge and has continued to impress this term with 14 goals and six assists.
Luiz has described Palmer as ‘world-class’ – even likening him to Chelsea legend Eden Hazard – and says he is ‘enjoying’ watching his development.
‘Cole, like Eden, is on another level, he’s a world-class player,’ the Premier League and Champions League winner told The Sun.
Cole Palmer has been a revelation at Chelsea
‘He took a tough decision to leave Man City and it was the right one for him. Everybody can now see the amazing player that he is.
‘I’m enjoying seeing him play. He’s intelligent and intelligent players are difficult to defend.
‘He’d have played in my 2012 and 2017 [Chelsea] teams – for world-class players there’s always a place.’
Luiz spent the majority of his Premier League career at Chelsea but also had a spell at their London rivals Arsenal.
Discussing other current Chelsea players that have caught his eye, the 37-year-old Brazilian added: ‘I love a lot of players at Chelsea but in particular [Moises[ Caicedo.
‘He has some amazing qualities, he’s powerful. He didn’t start well but he had the personality to keep going, keep fighting and now he’s started to show his class.
‘Enzo [Fernandez] is another top player, a world-class one. But sometimes when collective results are good, then everybody judges individual performances in a different way.
‘Enzo is fantastic and at Chelsea he has many examples to follow to continue to improve.’
Two Chelsea players going through difficult periods are goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and striker Nicolas Jackson, but Luiz expects both to come good.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez
Sanchez made yet another error in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City last time out, while Jackson has gone seven games without a goal, with some pundits suggesting a new goalkeeper and striker is needed for the Blues to challenge for major trophies.
‘In every club around the world always supporters are not going to be happy with two or three players,’ Luiz said. ‘This is normal.
‘But I think Jackson and Sanchez are amazing players – and they will prove that to Chelsea fans and give good things soon.
‘Fans deserve amazing players who play well and I hope they can both repay their faith.
‘The moment that you sign for Chelsea, you already have the potential to be a great Premier League player.’
Chelsea, who have slipped to sixth in the Premier League following a difficult run, face Graham Potter’s West Ham on Monday night.
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