Cole Palmer is the latest Premier League player to sing the praises of Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal with the Chelsea star going as far as suggesting he is currently the best player in the world.
Having enjoyed a stunning first campaign at Stamford Bridge with 42 goal contributions to his name, Palmer knows a thing or two about breakout seasons.
Alongside the likes of Raphinha and Pedri, Yamal has shined over the last nine months with his display against Inter in the Champions League clear proof of his ability.
For one of the goals in that 3-3 first leg draw, he danced around multiple defenders before guiding a left-footed effort into the far corner. Though Hansi Flick’s side lost that semi-final in dramatic circumstances, Yamal absolutely left his mark.
Having already won the Copa Del Rey, Barcelona took one step closer toward winning La Liga after a 4-3 win over title rivals Real Madrid.
Yamal was on target again but interestingly, that was only his seventh league goal of the season. He does, however, have 14 in all competitions along with 24 assists.
With his talent on full display, it is even catching the eye of his fellow professionals and Palmer has now made his feelings clear on the Spanish superstar.
“Mad, he’s probably the best player in the world to be honest,” he admitted in an interview with Sky Sports. “I feel like everything they (Barcelona) do goes through him and just when you watch him, it’s mad.”
When asked about his mentality, Palmer added: “He’s actually got his confidence and he’s got no fear. I love watching him.”
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has also recently dished out some big praise on Yamal. “He’s top. Honestly, doing what he is doing at his age, what can you say, he’s unreal,” he told Sky Sports earlier this month.
“It’s not normal. No one does it. I don’t think I’ve seen that level for a 17-year-old, so credit to him.”
Yamal himself only named one of those England stars however, when asked about the players outside of Barcelona currently impressing him.
“Right now, I think [Ousmane] Dembele or Bukayo Saka are doing really well,” he said at a Beats By Dre event. Yamal and Saka were denied a dream meeting in the Champions League final with Inter set to face Paris Saint-Germain, but it is likely their paths will cross soon.
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