William Gallas challenges Cole Palmer to follow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's lead

The Chelsea star had a breakthrough season but has been challenged to reproduce that form again this campaign

Cole Palmer has been told to 'live like a monk' if he wants to emulate legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Chelsea star burst onto the scene last season with 25 goals in all competitions after his £42.5million move from Manchester City. Palmer's exploits earned him a call up to the England squad for the Euros where he found the net in the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.

However, Blues legend William Gallas has warned the young star that he needs to make sacrifices to produce the same form every year to follow in the footsteps of Messi and Ronaldo.

He told Prime Casino: "Cole Palmer needs to stay at his level. Produce a season like that again. And again. And again. Season after season, that’s what the very best players - the legends - do. Messi and Ronaldo, these guys were the best for almost 15-20 years. It’s remarkable, and that is the standard if you want to be considered the best.

What Palmer did last season with Chelsea was just incredible. I want to see him do it again. We’ve seen a lot of players have one season at the top level. The most difficult challenge for players is to stay in that level. To do it takes unbelievable commitment, huge sacrifices.

"You must live your life like a monk. You must be happy knowing that you’re going to have three weeks in the year to switch off, and then you have to work even harder than the year before. It's not easy to do that. Not many players have the mental resources to deliver that kind of commitment."

Palmer has scored just once in six games for Chelsea this term, and Gallas has thrown down the gauntlet to the 22-year-old to prove he's not a one-season wonder.

He added: "Have I ever seen a player emerge like him? I can’t think of many players that have had the twelve months that he has had, but it was only twelve months. He needs to show that he can do it again.

"I want to see what he does this season. We know he’s a cool guy, but after a season like last year, his teammates are looking at him to make the difference; the fans are expecting him to make the difference. There is a bit more extra pressure on him this year, but, without doubt, he is the best young player in the Premier League."