Jermaine Jenas believes Chelsea have a player who can become ‘one of the best players on the planet’.

After briefly threatening to mount a Premier League title challenge, Chelsea have been forced to alter their expectations during a difficult second-half to the season.

Chelsea beat newly-crowned champions Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday but the victory only put the Blues level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United as they chase Champions League qualification.

In a largely challenging season, even Cole Palmer’s form has suffered, with the England star going almost four months without a goal before his late penalty against Liverpool.

After ending his long wait for a goal, Palmer hit out at ‘trolls and idiots on social media’ in a surprisingly open interview on Sky Sports.

‘S*** happens,’ he said. ‘It gives me more fight to do well not just for myself, but for my team.

‘Social media nowadays is full of idiots, the trolls and whatever. I don’t pay any attention to that. To score today, I’m happy, but I’ve got to keep improving and try to reach new levels.

‘If you’re getting chances and not scoring… you’re letting your team down at the end of the day. I feel like I’m mentally strong anyway so whatever people say, it doesn’t bother me.

‘I’ve had it all the time growing up. I feel pride in helping the team and if I’m not doing that, I’m not happy. Today, I felt like myself.

‘I felt confident, I was trying things, first time passes, playing forward, playing free and when you have him [Moises Caicedo] next to you, it’s a dream.’

Ex-England midfielder Jenas ‘loved every word’ of Palmer’s interview and felt it was further proof that he can become one of the best players in the world.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a sensational first season at Stamford Bridge, his form earning him the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.

Chelsea spent £40m to sign Palmer from then-Premier League champions Manchester City and have tied the Euro 2024 final goalscorer to a contract until 2033 following his exploits in west London.

‘I loved every word of that interview, every single word of it,’ Jenas told talkSPORT. ‘He’s 22 and he’s been carrying that football club on his back this season.

‘I just think sometimes with players, a lot of the time you see these interviews and you get such a polished, load of rubbish after certain games. Sometimes you just want to know genuinely what’s going on.

‘I think with Cole Palmer, he had that bit of release that made you kind of realise that this kid cares, he wants to improve and he knows he hasn’t been as good as he should be.

‘That tells me he’s got everything it takes to go and be one of the best players on the planet at some point during his career.

‘That’s what the key is, realising you haven’t been good enough and he’s been putting things right to get himself back on the right track.’

Man Utd legend Gary Neville hails Cole Palmer

Manchester United legend Gary Neville described Palmer as the ‘best player on the pitch’ during Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool.

‘He’s the best player on the pitch by an absolute street,’ Neville said on Sky Sports commentary. ‘He’s been brilliant today, he really has.’

After naming Palmer as his Player of the Match, the ex-Manchester United and England defender added: ‘It’s been a brilliant performance from Palmer. He’s been a joy to watch.

‘He deserved that goal because he’s been the difference. A class act on the pitch throughout.’

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