Cole Palmer has enjoyed a sensational season for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
West Ham striker Michail Antonio believes one Arsenal player has been as good as Chelsea sensation Cole Palmer this season.
Palmer has enjoyed a dream debut season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 22 goals and providing 10 assists in 32 Premier League games.
Even when Chelsea were languishing in mid-table Palmer – who joined the Blues from Manchester City last summer – was a bright spark, potentially saving Mauricio Pochettino his job before the team’s recent resurgence.
Palmer’s form saw him named in the eight-man shortlist for Premier League player of the season alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
But West Ham forward Antonio believes another player on the shortlist – Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice – has been just as good as Palmer across the 2023-24 campaign.
Rice has started all but one of Arsenal’s 37 Premier League games following his £105m move from West Ham last summer, playing a huge part in the Gunners’ impressive title challenge that will ultimately be decided on the final day.
Asked to name his Premier League signing of the season, Antonio said on The Players Channel podcast: ‘I’ve got two people I can’t pick between, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer.
Declan Rice left West Ham to join Arsenal last summer (Picture: Getty)
‘I can’t divide them. Of course, if you’re going to pick someone, you have to pick the attacking player given the goals they’ve scored.
‘But you can’t disregard the job Declan Rice has done at Arsenal and that’s the reason I’m not picking and it’s a draw between those two for me.
‘At the end of the day, Rice going to Arsenal has given them a great chance of winning the Premier League, he’s progressed them since last year, he’s made the difference.
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‘Cole’s had an unbelievable season, what a player. Everyone wondered why Chelsea were splashing £40m on an unproven player but he’s been amazing.’
Rice will look to help Arsenal finish the season with a victory over Everton on Sunday and at least force Man City to also win their final game, at home to West Ham, to clinch the title.
Palmer’s Chelsea, meanwhile, are at home to Bournemouth as they look to secure European football for next season.
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