Even though Chelsea own one of the world’s elite playmakers in Cole Palmer, they are still linked in the transfer rumour mill with creative targets.
Cole Palmer, 23, has been the star of the Chelsea squad during his first two seasons at the club.
Palmer, praised by Jose Mourinho recently, picked up his first two trophies with the Blues last term, winning the Club World Cup and Conference League. Without a doubt, he’s got the kind of ability where he should be lifting silverware on a pretty consistent basis.
Cole Palmer registered 8 assists from 12.89(xA) last season.
In other words, his teammates should’ve scored ~5 goals more from his passes. pic.twitter.com/6D0BRMg0vB
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) July 24, 2025
View Tweet
It’s interesting to think that the left-footed genius enjoyed most of his success under Mauricio Pochettino on the right wing. Last season under Enzo Maresca, he moved centrally to dictate play from a number ten role.
The Blues may actually need extra cover for Palmer because teammates Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix are linked with potential exits, though.
Nkunku has been deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ after a tough spell in West London. Similarly, Benfica are ‘going big’ to sign Felix, who’s available this summer.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesChelsea fail with Kenan Yildiz offer
The name of Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, 20, has cropped up in Blues transfer speculation recently. In fact, Chelsea made contact in April about signing Yildiz during this summer window.
However, it looks like the highly-rated Turkey international is staying put in Turin.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea submitted a bid worth around €65-68m (£57-60m) for Juventus ace Yildiz.
It is understood that Stamford Bridge officials arrived in Italy recently to ask about the Serie A sensation, but their offer has been rejected.
The report adds that Juventus have refused to open the door for their ‘number ten’ despite listening to Chelsea’s sizeable offer. Apparently, they even gave a very clear message that Yildiz is not for sale this summer.
Yildiz, who can cover multiple attacking positions, looks a real star in the making with his incredible technique and vision.
Kenan Yildiz for Juventus across all competitions in the 2024/25 season
Perhaps the good news for Chelsea supporters is that RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, 22, is strongly linked with an imminent transfer to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are confident of signing £60m-rated Simons as they look to add him to their creative options in the squad.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesWhat Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola said about Kenan Yildiz
In terms of Chelsea’s greatest ever technicians and creators, Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard sit right at the top of the tree. Therefore, it’s interesting to hear that Zola actually compared Blues target Yildiz to himself a few months ago.
Speaking back in April 2025, Zola told TuttoMercatoWeb: “Yildiz of Juventus is a player with similar qualities to mine, but he’s not the only one.”
At the age of 20, Yildiz ticks a lot of boxes as a Chelsea target with massive potential, but the Blues will have to watch his development from a distance for now.