Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Aspires for the Number 10 Shirt
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has expressed his aspiration to don the number 10 shirt, inspired by football legends Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney. At just 23 years old, Palmer made a significant change from his previous number 20 and debuted his new jersey during Chelsea’s recent 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, part of their Club World Cup campaign.
“Messi is the foremost influence, but I also look up to Rooney and similar iconic talents. Number 10 signifies greatness to me; it’s a jersey I’ve cherished since my youth.”
Palmer joins the ranks of previous Chelsea stars who wore the number, such as Eden Hazard, Joe Cole, and Willian. The shirt was last held by Mykhailo Mudryk, who is currently under scrutiny from the Football Association over a doping case, facing a potential four-year suspension.
While Palmer has not yet had a conversation with Mudryk about the situation, he expressed his intent to support him at an appropriate time, adding,
“It’s not really my place to step into his situation just yet.”
Clarifying Misunderstandings
In a recent statement, Palmer also sought to clarify any misunderstandings regarding his relationship with head coach Enzo Maresca. Following his pivotal role in Chelsea’s Conference League final win against Real Betis, where he contributed two assists, Palmer remarked that he was “tired of playing it safe, going backwards and sideways.” Maresca responded promptly by encouraging him to embrace a more expressive playing style.
“We had a lighthearted exchange about it; my comments were more about my gameplay rather than directed at the manager,” Palmer elaborated. “I wanted to be more adventurous on the pitch, while still respecting the team’s strategy.”
Preparing for the Club World Cup
As one of the prominent figures for the Club World Cup, Palmer’s presence is highlighted around Philadelphia, where the team is preparing for matches against Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Having transferred to Chelsea for £42.5 million in September 2023 after a modest stint with Manchester City, Palmer has quickly made a name for himself as a promising talent in English football.
When asked about his level of fame and the attention he receives from fans, Palmer humbly stated,
“I’m just a regular kid. When people approach me, I often wonder, why me? I still engage in the same activities as before. Football is important, but I always remind myself it’s just a game meant to be enjoyed. I still like to play five-a-side and engage in regular activities to maintain perspective.”
