Cole Palmer ‘secretly trying to convince’ England teammate to quit his current club and join Chelsea

Cole Palmer is reportedly working behind the scenes to lure one of his England teammates to Chelsea this summer. Despite not being a starter for England during Euro 2024, Palmer played a crucial role in Gareth Southgate’s squad, which reached the final for the second consecutive tournament.

The 22-year-old came off the bench in the quarter-finals, contributing to England’s victory over Switzerland in the penalty shootout by scoring the first penalty. His impact continued in the semi-final against the Netherlands, where he was a late substitute. Palmer made a decisive pass that allowed Ollie Watkins to score the winning goal in the 91st minute.

In the final against Spain, both Palmer and Watkins were brought on as substitutes. Palmer showcased his talent with a remarkable strike that leveled the match for England. This on-field chemistry between Palmer and Watkins extended off the pitch, as reported by Football Insider. Palmer is now reportedly trying to convince Watkins to leave Aston Villa and join him at Chelsea.

According to sources, Palmer has been in discussions with Watkins, suggesting that they could form a formidable partnership at Chelsea under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea, on the lookout for a new striker this summer, has identified Watkins as a potential target. Watkins, who is 28 years old, had an impressive season with Aston Villa, netting 19 goals in the Premier League and playing a key role in securing Villa’s qualification for the Champions League.

To facilitate the transfer, Chelsea is reportedly willing to offer Conor Gallagher to Aston Villa, as the midfielder has been a long-time target for Villa’s manager, Unai Emery. This move could potentially smooth the negotiations between the two clubs.

Chelsea’s pursuit of new talent this summer is part of a broader strategy. Since the club’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, Chelsea has invested over £1 billion in new signings. This summer alone, they have already secured the additions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, and Marc Guiu.

As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Palmer’s efforts to bring Watkins to Chelsea will be successful, but it is clear that the club is eager to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season.