Cole Palmer aiming to emulate Man Utd hero after making Chelsea change

Cole Palmer has confirmed a major change ahead of his third season as a Chelsea player and is aiming to help the Blues to another trophy at the Club World Cup in the USA

Cole Palmer grew up idolising Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Eden Hazard. And now Palmer wants to raise his own game after fulfilling his boyhood ambition of getting the No10 shirt with Chelsea.

Palmer, who has worn 20 since arriving at Stamford Bridge two years ago, has yet to ask Mykhailo Mudryk about taking his squad number as the Ukraine winger is facing a four year ban after allegedly failing a drugs test.

But Palmer could not hide his delight at being the main man. “I wore no10 all my life growing up and I just like the number, so yes,” said Palmer. “It’s just an iconic number.

“Messi, the big one, Rooney and players like that. I have seen him [Hazard] a few times at the training ground. He asked me for one of my shirts for his sons, so yes. Idolised him? To see him was nice, we had a conversation, so yes.”

“I have not spoken to Misha yet but I will when the time is right. It is not really my place to get involved with him at the minute. I will speak to him.”

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England star Palmer, 23, is used to taking centre stage as it is his face all over the Club World Cup posters promoting Chelsea’s games as the Blues prepare to face Brazilian giants Flamengo on at Philadelpphia’ Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

It has been a rapid rise to fame for Palmer after his whirlwind two years at Chelsea which have propelled Palmer to one of the Premier League’s biggest stars.

Palmer said: “It has been quick in terms of how fast it has happened but it is a nice feeling and if I keep performing and keep doing stuff hopefully it will get better and bigger.

“I am just a normal kid so when people do stuff like that I think… ‘why me?’ Obviously in restaurants I get recognised. At the start, it was a bit wow, but now I get used to it. I have not even walked around Philly yet. No, I feel like America is different, they don’t really watch football so it is a bit different.”

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Palmer is honest in conversation and even admitted after the Europa Conference League final that he provided two assists in the second half – which turned the game around as Chelsea beat Real Betis – because he was bored of playing sideways.

But Palmer was quick to clear up that was not intended as a dig at Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca but, having scored for England in last year’s Euros final, he does relish the big occasions which is why he wants to enjoy the Club World Cup.

He added: “We had a joke about it. My comments weren’t towards the manager or anything. I felt like in the game, I was maybe being a bit safe. So that’s where the comment came from.

“I feel like I’ve wanted to play in big occasions from a young age, even in the finals we played when I was younger. I always seem to do something in big games, and since I’ve come into the first team, it’s just continued.”

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