COLE RIGHT NOW

Fofana ranks fit-again Palmer as one of the very best in the world

- BY BOBBY VINCENT

WESLEY FOFANA believes Cole Palmer is on a similar level to Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele after the Chelsea star scored his first goal in almost three months.

Palmer, 23, inspired the Blues to their first victory this month when he opened the scoring with a calm finish after 21 minutes.

The England international slotted past his Three Lions teammate Jordan Pickford, before Malo Gusto doubled the home side's lead just before the halftime break.

It was Palmer's first goal for Chelsea since September 17, with the playmaker spending the majority of that time out because of a groin injury.

Fofana, who completed 90 minutes for the Blues on Saturday, was quick to hail the importance of Palmer and even compared the Chelsea man to his France colleagues Mbappe and Dembele.

“He is a star, he is the best player on the team,” said Fofana.