Chelsea’s Palmer Focused on Team Trophies Ahead of Individual Awards 

Chelsea's English midfielder Cole Palmer poses with the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year in the winners backstage during the 2023-2024 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards, at the Opera House, in Manchester, northern England, on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
Chelsea's English midfielder Cole Palmer poses with the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year in the winners backstage during the 2023-2024 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards, at the Opera House, in Manchester, northern England, on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Chelsea’s Palmer Focused on Team Trophies Ahead of Individual Awards 

Chelsea's English midfielder Cole Palmer poses with the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year in the winners backstage during the 2023-2024 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards, at the Opera House, in Manchester, northern England, on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
Chelsea's English midfielder Cole Palmer poses with the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year in the winners backstage during the 2023-2024 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards, at the Opera House, in Manchester, northern England, on August 20, 2024. (AFP)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer was pleased to be named the PFA's Young Player of the Year on Tuesday but the attacking midfielder said helping the club win trophies is more important than earning individual accolades.

The 22-year-old scored 22 goals in 34 Premier League appearances in his first season with Chelsea after leaving Manchester City. He featured in five of England’s seven European Championship matches, scoring in the final loss to Spain.

Palmer said he set the Players' Player of the Year trophy as his telephone wallpaper last season as motivation but emphasized that his focus is on team success.

"The (last) whole season was a great season for me personally and hopefully, we can kick on this season," Palmer told Sky Sports.

"I want to win trophies with Chelsea, that is the main thing, and then the individual awards are nice... It's on me to produce for Chelsea and that's what I plan to do."

Palmer, the third Chelsea player to win the award after Scott Parker and Eden Hazard, recently extended his contract with the club until 2033.



Bayern Munich Loses Croatia Defender Josip Stanisic for Several Weeks to Knee Injury 

16 August 2024, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Ulm: Munich's Josip Stanisic in action during the German DFB Cup soccer match between SSV Ulm 1846 and Bayern Munich at Donaustadion. (dpa)
16 August 2024, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Ulm: Munich's Josip Stanisic in action during the German DFB Cup soccer match between SSV Ulm 1846 and Bayern Munich at Donaustadion. (dpa)
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Bayern Munich Loses Croatia Defender Josip Stanisic for Several Weeks to Knee Injury 

16 August 2024, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Ulm: Munich's Josip Stanisic in action during the German DFB Cup soccer match between SSV Ulm 1846 and Bayern Munich at Donaustadion. (dpa)
16 August 2024, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Ulm: Munich's Josip Stanisic in action during the German DFB Cup soccer match between SSV Ulm 1846 and Bayern Munich at Donaustadion. (dpa)

Bayern Munich and Croatia defender Josip Stanisic will miss the start of the Bundesliga season because of a knee injury, the club said Tuesday.

Stanisic tore a ligament in his right knee during a practice session Monday and will be "sidelined for several weeks,” Bayern said.

Bayern starts its Bundesliga campaign on Sunday at Wolfsburg and is seeking to reclaim the title from Bayer Leverkusen, where Stanišić spent last season on loan.

Stanisic is likely to miss two Croatia games in the UEFA Nations League, at Portugal on Sept. 5 and home to Poland three days later.

Bayern also plays the first two rounds of the expanded Champions League opening league phase scheduled from Sept. 17-19 and Oct. 1-2. The draw for each team’s eight games will be made next week in Monaco.