Palmer on fame: 'I think, why me?'

In Cole Palmer's mind, the 22-year-old is still the same ambitious young footballer that messaged Eden Hazard, but his life has changed markedly in the last two years.The England international has become a household name and is now described by Enzo Maresca as "Chelsea's best player".Palmer is on billboards advertising the Club World Cup in United States host cities and been given the no10 shirt, once worn by the legendary Hazard.But when asked about his newfound fame, Palmer said: "Yes, I am just a normal kid so when people do stuff like [notice me], 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 still do the same things now that I did before I came to Chelsea."I try and think it's just a game of football at the end of the day, like it's not life or death. So I just try and enjoy it. I like to go and play five-a-side, PlayStation and go to the Astro [turf] and just do normal things [to take my mind of things]."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."What highlights Palmer's change in status was he once messaged Hazard while an academy player in 2015. Of course, the message went unreplied and unread. When asked whether Hazard replied yet, Palmer said: "Nah," but added: "I have seen him a few times at the training ground. He asked me for one of my shirts for his sons."Palmer has also taken Hazard's iconic no10 shirt, explaining: "I wore no10 all my life growing up and I just like the number, so yes, it is an iconic number, which makes me think of Messi and Rooney."He is also seeing a team built around him with fellow Manchester City academy graduates, with Liam Delap – who joined in a £30m move from Ipswich - rekindling a former partnership from their youth days. They, along with Romeo Lavia, won Premier League 2 for the Under-23s in 2021 under now Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Palmer explained: "I played with Liam for a number of years when he started at City. I just know where he is going to be, and I like to find him and hopefully I can assist him a lot this season."The Blues next face Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and Palmer's uncle has provided some Brazilian knowledge. "My uncle has lived in Brazil for over 10 years and messaged me to say they are one of the biggest clubs in Brazil and please score," he continued. "Apparently, that's all they are talking about so I expect it will be a good game."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Metro

7 minutes ago

• Metro

Chelsea sent warning over £43m Man Utd and Liverpool transfer target

Chelsea have been warned they will be making a mistake if they peruse the signing of Manchester United and Liverpool traget Malick Fofana. The Lyon youngster is in high-demand after an eye-catching campaign for the Ligue 1 club who have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City this summer. Fofana is likely to command a fee in the region of £43million for a player they signed from Gent in January 2024 for just £17m. Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas, however, believes Fofana should not be a player Chelsea are focusing on buying this summer, even if rival clubs could benefit from his talent. 'Malick Fofana is a young player that is still learning and I don't think that is the right move,' Gallas told Prime Casino. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'Chelsea have a lot of forward players already and I think they need experienced defenders now. They have won the Conference League but that right centre-back position is the one I'd look at, not wingers.' The Blues are currently involved in Club World Cup action in America and it remains to be seen what impact that tournament will have on their preparations ahead of the new Premier League season. Chelsea appear to have been handed a kind start to the season after the fixtures were announced earlier this week, but Gallas is concerned games against the likes of Crystal Palace and Brighton will be far tougher in reality than on paper. He added: 'Chelsea will want to get off to a good start as they look to go and finish in the top four and be in the race to win the title, but they've got a difficult start. Sun Aug 17 – Crystal Palace (h) Sat Aug 23 – West Ham United (a) Sat Aug 30 – Fulham (h) Sat Sep 13 – Brentford (a) Sat Sep 20 – Manchester United (a) Sat Sep 27 – Brighton & Hove Albion (h) Sat Oct 4 – Liverpool (h) Sat Oct 18 – Nottingham Forest (a) Sat Oct 25 – Sunderland (h) Sat Nov 1 – Tottenham Hotspur (a) Sat Nov 8 – Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) Sat Nov 22 – Burnley (a) Sat Nov 29 – Arsenal (h) Wed Dec 3 – Leeds United (a) Sat Dec 6 – A.F.C. Bournemouth (a) Sat Dec 13 – Everton (h) Sat Dec 20 – Newcastle United (a) Sat Dec 27 – Aston Villa (h) Tue Dec 30 – A.F.C. Bournemouth (h) Sat Jan 3 – Manchester City (a) Wed Jan 7 – Fulham (a) Sat Jan 17 – Brentford (h) Sat Jan 24 – Crystal Palace (a) Sat Jan 31 – West Ham United (h) Sat Feb 7 – Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) Wed Feb 11 – Leeds United (h) Sat Feb 21 – Burnley (h) Sat Feb 28 – Arsenal (a) Wed Mar 4 – Aston Villa (a) Sat Mar 14 – Newcastle United (h) Sat Mar 21 – Everton (a) Sat Apr 11 – Manchester City (h) Sat Apr 18 – Manchester United (h) Sat Apr 25 – Brighton & Hove Albion (a) Sat May 2 – Nottingham Forest (h) Sat May 9 – Liverpool (a) Sun May 17 – Tottenham Hotspur (h) Sun May 24 – Sunderland (a) 'It might not seem that way but having four London derbies will take it out of them. Those games will be fierce and there will be a lot of pressure from both sets of fans. 'Crystal Palace, West Ham, Fulham and Brentford will all be desperate to beat them, they would've been better off having some games with less pressure on to start the season. 'Pressure will be on the players because they are must-win games, it will not be easy for Enzo Maresca.' MORE: Cole Palmer makes surprise admission as he explains shirt number change MORE: Arsenal urged to sign 'unfairly treated' £40m Man City star MORE: West Ham approached by Juventus over £30m swap deal

Daily Mirror

27 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

Flamengo vs Chelsea prediction, odds and betting offer

Chelsea look to maintain their perfect start in the Club World Cup stage as they look to face their toughest opponents in Group D as the Blues face Flamengo Chelsea are riding high on their flawless start to the Club World Cup and are now gearing up to face Flamengo in Philadelphia. The Blues began their campaign on a strong note with a 2-0 win over LAFC, thanks to goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez. Liam Delap, Chelsea's new acquisition, made a significant impact by setting up the second goal. His pinpoint cross found Fernandez, who headed it home with precision. Another highlight was Dario Essugo's debut despite limited minutes on the pitch, he left a positive impression. As they prepare for this crucial match, Enzo Maresca's squad knows that another victory could potentially seal their spot in the round of 16. However, they'll need to be at their best against Flamengo who are managed by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, the Brazilian side has been formidable defensively, boasting seven clean sheets in their last eight outings. Flamengo vs Chelsea Odds Flamengo - 5/2 Draw - 11/5 Chelsea - 23/20 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Flamengo vs Chelsea Betting Tips Chelsea and both teams to score - 4/1 Liam Delap to score anytime - 27/10 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Flamengo vs Chelsea Betting Offers If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Article continues below Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit

BreakingNews.ie

29 minutes ago

• BreakingNews.ie

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to ‘bottle attack' charge

R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub. The American musician, 36, is accused of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members' club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19th, 2023. Advertisement Brown confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his plea, saying: 'Not guilty ma'am' during the plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court. His co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, who turned 39 on Friday, denied the same charge. Both defendants are further charged with assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm, with Brown also facing one count of having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place. They were not asked to enter pleas to those charges with a further court hearing set for July 11. Advertisement US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, leaves Southwark Crown Court (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, defending Brown, told the court it has been difficult to discuss matters with her client while he is working. Around 20 people sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday's hearing, many of them fans of the singer. A date for a five to seven-day trial was set for October 26th, 2026. Brown had arrived at around 9am to a large group of photographers outside court, and walked in silence to the building's entrance. Advertisement The singer walked past a large group of photographers (Jonathan Brady/PA) The Go Crazy singer, who was able to continue with his scheduled international tour after he was freed on conditional bail last month, performed in Cardiff on Thursday night. He had to pay a £5 million security fee to the court as part of the bail agreement, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last month that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on May 15 by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. Advertisement He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet in preparation for the UK tour dates. Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on May 21st. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. It said: 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.' Advertisement