The 2024/25 Premier League season has been full of twists, but few players have stolen the spotlight quite like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. Two English playmakers, both crucial to their sides, yet their seasons have taken slightly different trajectories. With the graphics in hand, let’s break down their performances and how they stack up against their respective teams.
Foden’s Late Surge vs. Palmer’s Early Brilliance
Looking at the goal maps, Foden has netted 7 goals while Palmer has doubled that with 14. But while Palmer looked like he was on a mission earlier in the season, his form has flatlined recently, struggling to maintain the momentum that once had Chelsea fans buzzing. Meanwhile, Foden, after a slower start, has picked up steam, finding the back of the net more consistently in the latter half of the campaign.
This shift is clearly visible in their cumulative xG graphs. Palmer’s tally raced ahead in the early months, exceeding his xG in an impressive finishing run. But after reaching his 14-goal mark, he’s stalled, struggling to add to his tally.
Foden, on the other hand, has been a late bloomer—steadily increasing his output, now even outperforming his expected goals (5.40 xG vs. 7 goals), showing that his recent hot streak isn’t just about getting good chances but finishing them clinically.
Shot Selection and Conversion: Who’s More Efficient?
Palmer has taken 94 shots this season, with an accuracy of 14.9%, while Foden has taken just 46 shots but has been slightly more clinical at 15.2%. Palmer has clearly been Chelsea’s go-to man in attack, pulling the trigger at every opportunity, whereas Foden has been a bit more selective with his chances. The key difference? Palmer’s shot map shows a wider variety of attempts, including long-range efforts, while Foden’s shot map is concentrated inside the box—indicative of City’s methodical approach to creating high-quality chances.
How They Fit into Their Teams’ xG Trends
Chelsea’s xG graph tells the story of inconsistency. Some explosive attacking performances (like the 4.46 xG against Aston Villa) have been followed by frustrating inefficiency (1.17 xG against Ipswich Town). This fits Palmer’s season perfectly—at times, he has looked unstoppable, but when Chelsea falter, so does he. Chelsea, despite having a strong xG per game (1.94, 2nd in the league), have often been wasteful in front of goal.
City, on the other hand, have remained structured. Their xG fluctuates less, emphasizing control over chaos. Foden has grown into this role, shining when City are at their best, but struggling when their system doesn’t click. Manchester City, with an xG of 1.74 per match, are ranked 5th but have a much tighter finishing efficiency.
Who’s Had the Better Season?
The stats paint an interesting picture. Palmer has been the bigger goal threat, leading Chelsea’s attack with 14 goals. However, his form has stalled, leaving questions about whether he can reignite his scoring touch.
Foden, meanwhile, has found his groove later in the season, with 7 goals from just 5.40 xG, indicating his clutch finishing ability.
If we’re judging purely on output, Palmer has been Chelsea’s MVP—but his recent struggles highlight Chelsea’s reliance on him. Foden, on the other hand, is thriving in City’s system and peaking at the right time.
The real question? Can Palmer rediscover his scoring form before the season ends, or will Foden’s rise continue to make him City’s difference-maker?