Sergio Aguero has called Cole Palmer Chelsea's best player and praised the club's summer signings Emiliano Martinez and Valentin Barco, while warning that a strong attack needs solid support behind it.
Aguero's verdict on Palmer
Aguero, who played alongside Palmer at Manchester City before the latter moved to Chelsea for £40m in 2023, said: 'I played with Cole Palmer and I love him as a player. I think he's spectacular.'
'When I was there, he didn't have many opportunities to play for City because there were many top-level players who were also in good form,' Aguero told Stake. 'Moving to Chelsea has worked well because he needed to play. In my opinion, he's Chelsea's best player today. He can score or provide an assist at any moment and make the difference.'
Concerns over Chelsea's structure
Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven appearances this season, but Chelsea sit 10th in the Premier League with the division's worst defensive record.
Aguero said: '[Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers] are good players, but even if you have an excellent front three, if the team isn't solid in midfield or defence, the forwards can score three goals and the opposition will score four. You'll end up losing 4-3. To sustain a front three that you know is very good, you also need a reliable structure behind them so that the team doesn't suffer so much.'
Praise for Martinez and Barco
Aguero also welcomed the arrivals of fellow Argentines Emiliano Martinez, a goalkeeper from Aston Villa, and midfielder Valentin Barco from Strasbourg.
'[Emiliano Martinez] is a very good signing because Chelsea conceded too many goals,' Aguero added. 'It won't be easy at first because Dibu needs to get to know his teammates and defenders, which will take a few matches. But Dibu will become very important in many games because he can win matches for you. It's a very good signing.'
Of Barco, he said: 'I also think the signing of Barco is very good. He's a young player who has a lot of quality and energy. Once he gradually gets into the rhythm of playing, he'll do well. But we'll see what happens over the year and whether the club keeps him. That's another matter.'
Chelsea, who spent close to £350m on more than ten new signings under manager Xabi Alonso, host Bournemouth on Saturday in their first game in three weeks. The Blues lost 3-0 to Brentford last time out, while Bournemouth were beaten by Liverpool.
