If supremely talented Cole Palmer outgrows Chelsea, his next club transfer should be obvious

Chelsea have struck gold with Cole Palmer, and everyone involved in the deal are patting themselves on the back for securing a player who has quickly evolved into one of the best in the world. Palmer recently signed a new contract, with the intention of keeping him at the club for at least the next nine years. Given how well he is performing, there’s no doubt Chelsea will move mountains to retain him.

He has become the face of Chelsea's project and is arguably the most glamorous player in their squad. Moving him would take more than just a transfer fee. He’s the new Eden Hazard for Chelsea, but if he were ever to express a desire to leave, there’s only one possible destination: Real Madrid.

Real Madrid is one of the most successful football clubs in history, boasting a record number of Champions League titles and a worldwide fanbase. For a young, talented player like Palmer, joining Real Madrid would offer him the chance to cement his legacy on the global stage. Playing at the Bernabéu, surrounded by world-class talent, would allow him to grow both as a player and a brand.

Palmer could look at how massive David Beckham became when he left Manchester United in his prime to join Madrid. If Palmer didn’t watch Beckham due to his age, he certainly would have seen how Jude Bellingham has flourished and been embraced since his arrival in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid is viewed as the holy grail for footballers—the team that top players dream of playing for before retiring with the satisfaction of having reached the pinnacle of their careers. Eden Hazard, a true superstar who gave everything to Chelsea, eventually moved to Madrid to fulfill his dream, even if the move didn’t end perfectly for him. The point is, he achieved his goal.

While Chelsea’s ultimate aim is to get back to the top and challenge for major trophies, at Real Madrid, Palmer would consistently compete in major European and global competitions, including La Liga and the Champions League. This would give him regular exposure to elite football, pushing him to perform at his best. Winning major trophies at Madrid would elevate his profile as one of Europe’s top young talents.

Considering the way Palmer has started at Chelsea and the spaces he’s getting into, there’s no doubt that he could easily become one of the top players in the world, possibly going down as one of the greatest English players of all time. But to do that, he will need to win major titles, lead England to international success, and break records.

A move to Real Madrid would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction, but before that, he must finish the business he has started at Chelsea. He should help the team return to their best, honour his contract, and then leave as a legend. That’s the right way to do it.