Cole Palmer has been pipped to Reach's Fans' Footballer of the Year (FFOTY) award by Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

Palmer has been sensational for Chelsea in 2024 - setting the Premier League alight. With an astonishing 28 goals and 15 assists, accumulating to 43 direct goal contributions, over the course of the past 12 months, the 22-year-old continues to surpass any expectations Chelsea had for him when he signed from Manchester City for £42.5million in the summer of 2023.

So much so that the Blues awarded Palmer with a contract extension at the start of the season. Even though his deal already ran until 2031, the club handed him a further two-year extension and with drastically improved terms.

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"I'm delighted to sign this new deal," Palmer said in August. "I achieved a lot in my first season and hopefully I can continue to experience great things at this club, both on a personal level and in terms of bringing success and trophies to Chelsea."

Palmer lost out in the FFOTY voting to Salah with the Chelsea star having 22% of the votes compared to Salah, who has also enjoyed a superb 2024 for Liverpool, with 30%. The 32-year-old forward scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists in all competitions, to finish equal with Palmer on 43 direct goal contributions. In fact, Palmer's percentage of votes this year would have been enough to win in the last two FFOTYs.

While there is no doubting Salah had an astonishing year, there should be added context when it comes to Palmer. Not so much this season, but last term, Palmer was virtually carrying a fairly weak Chelsea side and did so throughout the second half of the campaign.

He can count himself extremely unfortunate not to pick up this award. Palmer, though, will keep on going as he looks to win his first Premier League Golden Boot this season, with the Chelsea forward on 11 goals, two behind Salah and Erling Haaland.