Cole Palmer has ended the season as probably the greatest gamers on the earth, however within the prime ten? Darren Bent isn’t so certain.
The England attacker was decisive in each the Convention League and Membership World Cup finals, with the latter feat clearly the extra spectacular.
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Palmer nearly single-handedly took down European champions Paris Saint-Germain with two excellent finishes in a 3-0 win stateside.
As such, he’s jumped as much as third within the odds for the 2025 Ballon d’Or behind Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, however that doesn’t essentially mirror his total standing.
“I feel it has been very reactionary,” talkSPORT host Bent argued. “You have to bear in mind his season that is simply gone.
“Sure his numbers had been first rate, however once you evaluate him to final season the place he was scary…
“It will sound ridiculous, however 16 targets in all competitions and 12 assists continues to be first rate however his first season it was 25 targets and 15 assists.
“There’s ranges there and I feel earlier than final evening he had one purpose in 14, so he wasn’t his most prolific.”
The Premier League 100 purpose membership member did caveat his critique, although, saying Palmer is on the cusp of his listing.
“The standard is there for all to see,” he mentioned. “He is a giant sport participant for them.
“He is their most inventive participant and if Chelsea have gotten any aspirations of profitable something he’ll be the beginning of it.
“He at all times appears to choose the correct choice and by no means appears to be phased both.
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“When he is obtained the ball and there is loads of chaos round him he can sluggish every thing down, he sees a go and he is ending pretty much as good as they arrive.
“He’s prime high-quality, however he is not in my prime ten.”
Effectively, who’s? In no explicit order, Bent started with the reigning world’s finest footballer.
“Rodri is an unbelievable Ballon d’Or winner. For plenty of years now has been unbelievable for Manchester Metropolis,” Bent defined.
“He performs loads of video games as properly and never only for Metropolis however for Spain – keep in mind how good he was within the Euros.”
Transferring onto his subsequent alternative, Bent jetted off to Germany, stating: “I’ve obtained Harry Kane in there. He must be in there.
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“Persons are most likely screaming on the radio ‘Kane?!’ however he’s the very best quantity 9 on my listing. I don’t see how there’s any debate.
“The man’s been at Bayern Munich for 2 years and scored 44 targets in his first season and 41 final yr. Within the Champions League he obtained 11 in 13, the season earlier than eight in 12.”
Over to France now, and it’s two of the nation’s easiest.
“Ousmane Dembele, must be in,” he continued. “I wasn’t certain earlier than however this season I get it.
“Kylian Mbappe is in, he’s simply received the European Golden Shoe, his resume – a hat-trick in a World Cup remaining.”
Extra forwards additionally make the reduce, with Bent taking one from England and two from Spain.
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“Mohamed Salah is in,” he added. “Vinicius Jr is, however I didn’t need to put him in due to his antics.
“The entire Rodri factor left a bitter style in my mouth, simply be humble and settle for you bought beat. However throwing your toys out of the pram and your group not turning as much as the occasion…
“Raphinha – he’s unbelievable. He doesn’t get sufficient love. His rise has been unbelievable, sensational.”
Then we transfer over to 2 former Borussia Dortmund males, earlier than Bent’s undisputed No.1.
“Jude Bellingham is in too,” he mentioned. “Erling Haaland, I’d have Kane over him, however he scored 34 in all competitions final season, 52 in his first yr.
“Primary – Lamine Yamal. He’s the very best participant on the earth for the time being – taking part in with no concern, taking part in with freedom, doing what he desires on the age of 17.”
Darren Bent’s ten finest gamers on the earth proper now
Lamine Yamal
Mohamed Salah
Raphinha
Vinicius Junior
Erling Haaland
Kylian Mbappe
Ousmane Dembele
Harry Kane
Jude Bellingham
Rodri
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Agree or disagree – it’s a hell of an inventory that the notoriously unflappable Palmer would possible fortunately sit eleventh on.