Cole Palmer’s biggest Chelsea pal backs ‘little superstar’ to handle new spotlight

Cole Palmer has been one of the biggest attractions at the Club World Cup in the United States, but close friend Tosin Adarabioyo says he takes it all in his stride

Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s “little superstar” who is ready to take on the world.

Chelsea star Palmer is one of the faces of the Club World Cup with his image plastered all over the United States to promote the tournament. Palmer, 23, has had to become used to being thrust into the spotlight as he is also Chelsea’s biggest hope when it comes to progressing in the whole tournament.

Chelsea must hope the England international steps up as they look to overcome Benfica in Charlotte to reach the quarter finals. But his close pal, Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo, insists that Palmer can handle the pressure and also his transformation into becoming one of the biggest stars of English football – and potentially the world.

Adarabioyo said: “I’ve known Cole since he was a young boy so even me seeing him on those big banners makes me very, very proud. I think people do forget that he’s still 22, 23 years of age and he’s one of the faces of this tournament.

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“Yeah, obviously his life has changed in the past two years. I banter him some time and tell him he’s a little superstar.

“But yeah, he handles it very well. He knows his focus is brilliant on football. He loves playing football and that’s Cole Palmer for you.

“People say he’s receiving a lot of scrutiny. I don’t think Cole really looks at that and us as teammates aren’t really looking at that. He performs at a very high level every time he steps on the pitch.”

There is no doubt that Palmer and Adarabioyo – who both came Manchester City ’s academy system – are good pals as they met years ago as kids growing up.

And you can feel that Adarabioyo, who is one of Chelsea’s self-appointed leaders of the dressing room, is highly protective of his teammate and friend.

Adarabioyo said: “Yeah, that’s my boy. I definitely wouldn’t say a mentor. He’s a top, top player who doesn’t need advice from me to know what he has to do but I’m there whenever he needs me.

“I think I settled very quickly when I came and took on that leadership role to try and help the boys whenever I can.

“We have a fair few, we have a lot of boys that are willing to lead the group. We have our captain, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer.”

Chelsea also have a new look in the United States with new players, new faces and that is a positive, according to Adarabioyo because it allows them to bed in and find their feet.

The Club World Cup is also giving Adarabioyo a taste for the Champions League next season having qualified on the final day of the Premier League season.

Adarabioyo added: “Yeah they are settling in well, we are all trying to help them in the right way, trying to teach them where we are playing and just to get along with them knowing that we are boys.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity when you are a new signing to just be around the boys for some time and that is what we have done, spending some time together. We take each game as it comes. Our complete focus is on this competition.

“Obviously I played in the Champions League whilst I was at Man City. We fought very, very hard to qualify for it this upcoming season and thank God we’re there. So yeah, it feels amazing to be back.

“You’re competing against the best teams, the best players in the world. So that’s the dream of every single player. It’s a dream of mine since I was a young boy.”

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