Reece James Declares Cole Palmer 'One Of The Best' After Chelsea Win

In a thrilling Premier League encounter at City Ground, Chelsea clinched a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Cole Palmer's performance earning high praise from teammate Reece James. Palmer, who provided a superb assist for Mykhailo Mudryk's opener, has been instrumental in Chelsea's recent successes, contributing to a total of 31 goals this season. This remarkable achievement places him at the top of the Premier League's contribution chart alongside Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.

Chelsea's victory was marked by a dramatic late turnaround, with Raheem Sterling equalizing in the 80th minute, followed by Nicolas Jackson's winning goal, assisted by James, just two minutes later. This win marks Chelsea's third consecutive victory in the league, positioning them level on points with sixth-place Newcastle United.

Palmer's debut season in the Premier League has been nothing short of sensational, making him just the fourth player in the league's history to score 20 or more goals and provide 10 or more assists in their debut campaign for a club. This elite group includes Andrew Cole (Newcastle United, 1993-94), Jurgen Klinsmann (Tottenham, 1994-95), and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, 2017-18).

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Reece James expressed his admiration for Palmer, stating, "Cole Palmer is one of the best in the world, I think personally. At [Manchester] City he didn’t play as much as he would like but he has come here and taken the chance with both hands." Palmer humbly responded to his teammate's praise, acknowledging the significance of his contributions while focusing on the team's future challenges.

Since Boxing Day, Chelsea has been among the top performers in the Premier League, securing 35 points - a tally surpassed only by Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Moreover, only league leaders City have suffered fewer defeats than Chelsea during this period. James highlighted the team's growth and resilience, attributing their strong finish to continuous learning and improvement.

The late victory against Nottingham Forest not only underscores Chelsea's determination but also highlights the pivotal role played by players like Cole Palmer and Reece James. As Chelsea looks to maintain their momentum in the closing stages of the season, their focus remains firmly on reaching new levels of performance and securing their position within the league.