While Chelsea’s return to the Champions League ended in a deserved 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, the performance of Cole Palmer was a significant positive, and the milestone match offered a chance to review the impressive Cole Palmer Chelsea stats.
A milestone goal on a disappointing night
Ironically, Chelsea’s first Champions League match in over two years coincided with Palmer’s 100th appearance for the club. The England international marked the occasion by scoring his first-ever Champions League goal for the Blues. With his side trailing by two goals, Palmer sparked a moment of brilliance, picking up the ball near the halfway line and driving forward with intent. A quick one-two combination with Malo Gusto put him in position to fire a first-time shot into the roof of the net, giving Chelsea a lifeline.
Although the goal didn’t lead to a comeback, it was another example of Palmer’s stupendous form. “I think we deserved more,” Palmer said after the defeat. “It’s a good learning curve for tonight and to be back in the competition is nice, we just need to kick-on from here.”
A look at the numbers
The goal was the highlight of an incredible record for a player who only joined in the summer of 2023. Through 100 appearances in a Chelsea shirt, Palmer has now amassed an incredible 45 goals and 28 assists. His contributions include goals against every ‘big six’ Premier League club, a brace against PSG in the 2025 Club World Cup final, and two assists in the Conference League final. The strike against Bayern was his second career goal in the Champions League, with his first coming for Manchester City in 2021.
Although the team result was a disappointment, Palmer’s individual brilliance was a clear reminder that Chelsea possess a world-class talent to build around as they navigate a challenging European campaign.