Cole Palmer is a game changer for Chelsea similar to Eden Hazard and like Gareth Bale was for Tottenham

Cole Palmer’s latest exploits for Chelsea have him compared to Premier League icons Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard.

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick in Thursday night’s 4-3 win over Manchester United, where he scored twice in stoppage time to inspire a stunning comeback.

And for talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara and Jermaine Pennant, Palmer’s influence for Chelsea this season has been comparable to that of two of the Premier League’s best players in recent years.

Speaking on The Sports Bar after the seven-goal thriller, O’Hara claimed the England international’s strikes had kept under-pressure manager Mauricio Pochettino in his job.

The former Tottenham midfielder said: ‘He saved his job, Palmer!’

He went on to say: “It reminds me, watching him tonight, of Pochettino with Cole Palmer at the end, and the way Cole Palmer walks up to him and gives him a hug.

“It almost reminds me of when Gareth Bale was at Tottenham and Gareth Bale single-handedly carried that team.

“It kind of reminds me of that, that’s where I think Cole Palmer can get, that’s the level he’s at.”

Pennant agreed, before comparing Palmer, who now has more goals than Jude Bellingham this season, to a Chelsea great.

He remarked: “It’s your Eden Hazard. It’s an Eden Hazard from the past.

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Palmer’s comparison to the Champions League-winning duo is certainly high praise, but his statistics suggest a similar importance to his team as the former stars did during their time in England.

Palmer’s hat-trick took his goal tally to 16 for this Premier League season, the second highest in the league, while he also has the third most assists, with eight to his name.

With eight league matches remaining, Palmer is on course to challenge Bale’s 21-goal campaign with Spurs in the 2012/13 season, which saw the Welshman win the Premier League Player of the Season award.

And the England international has already equaled Hazard’s best goal in the top flight of 16, which he recorded in the 2016/17 and 2018/19 campaigns.

But Palmer’s season is arguably all the more impressive as his eye-catching performances came in a mid-table Chelsea side, with victory over United propelling them up to tenth place.

The Londoners are seventh, two points behind West Ham, having played two games less, and O’Hara was quick to point out that they remain in contention for European football thanks to their main man.

He said: “Chelsea are still in the race for European football. They have games in hand, they are back on the front page, they are back in tenth place, they are not far behind West Ham.

Referring to United’s result, he added: “So everything remains to play for Chelsea, and it could well change their season, and Cole Palmer is at the forefront.

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“Unbelievable, what a player! And he really reminds me of what Pochettino had in Gareth Bale.”

Chelsea fans will be hoping for more inspiration from Palmer in their upcoming clash against bottom of the table Sheffield United on Sunday.