Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has revealed his ambition to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney, two football legends he greatly admires. Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Palmer has quickly become an integral part of the team, showcasing his talent and versatility.
The 23-year-old England international has appeared 92 times across all competitions, scoring 40 goals and assisting 27. In the current season alone, Palmer has contributed 15 goals and 12 assists in 47 matches, including three assists during Chelsea’s victorious UEFA Europa Conference League campaign.
Transition to the Number 10 Shirt Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup
In preparation for the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled in the United States, Palmer switched his squad number from 20 to the prestigious No. 10 shirt, famously worn by his idol Lionel Messi. Reflecting on the significance of this number, Palmer shared:
“Messi, the big one, Rooney and players like that. It’s just an iconic number. I wore No. 10 all my life growing up and I just like the number.”
This No. 10 jersey was previously worn by teammate Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has been sidelined since November and may face a suspension of up to four years due to an alleged doping violation. Palmer addressed the situation, stating:
“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.”
Recent Performances and Upcoming Fixtures
Palmer’s recent form has been impressive; he provided two assists in Chelsea’s triumph against Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. Looking ahead, he is expected to play in Chelsea’s opening match of the Club World Cup against Flamengo from Brazil, which will take place on June 20 at Lincoln Memorial Field in Pennsylvania.
Interestingly, Lionel Messi’s team, Inter Miami, is also competing in the tournament. Messi made an instant impact by scoring in Miami’s 2-1 victory over FC Porto in Atlanta, highlighting the ongoing connection between Palmer’s inspiration and current events.
Analyzing Lionel Messi’s Record Against Chelsea
Arguably one of football’s greatest players, Lionel Messi boasts an astonishing 866 goals for clubs and country. His history against Chelsea is notable, having scored three goals and provided three assists in 10 matches, all in the UEFA Champions League during his time at Barcelona.
Messi’s encounters with Chelsea have been evenly matched, with both wins and losses recorded. The last of these clashes occurred in the 2017-18 Champions League Round of 16, where Messi scored in both legs and helped Barcelona advance with a 4-1 aggregate, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.