Palmer reveals why he changed Chelsea squad number
Cole Palmer has revealed the reasoning behind taking Chelsea's number 10 shirt was to try and emulate his idols, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.
Palmer joined the Blues in 2023 from Manchester City and has become a standout player for Chelsea, netting 40 goals and providing 26 assists in all competitions.
The 23-year-old previously wore the number 20 shirt, but chose to change his number to the one previously worn by Chelsea greats Eden Hazard, Joe Cole and Willian.
Palmer marked his first appearance with his new number in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in its first game at this year's FIFA Club World Cup.
"Messi, the big one, Rooney and players like that. It's just an iconic number. I wore number 10 all my life growing up and I just like the number," Palmer said.
The England international was speaking ahead of the Blues' second game at the FIFA Club World Cup, which it lost 3-1 to Brazilian side Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field.
Its previous matches against Brazilian opposition were in the old format of the FIFA Club World Cup, losing the 2012 final to Corinthians 1-0 and beating Palmeiras 2-1 in the 2021 final.
While unable to get on the scoresheet against LAFC, Palmer played a vital role in Enzo Fernandez's goal, slipping in debutant Liam Delap, who crossed for the Argentinean to finish.
After the game, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca revealed that he had told Palmer to "take initiative" after the midfielder's comments after its UEFA Europa League Conference triumph.
Palmer became the first player to assist two goals in a major European final since Marcelo for Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final in its 4-1 win over Real Betis last month.
He was also the first to do so for an English club since Juan Mata also did so for Chelsea in the 2013 UEFA Europa League showpiece against Benfica.
But after the game, Palmer claimed he was "sick of going backwards and sideways", but he was quick to dismiss any disagreements with Maresca over the Blues' style of play.
"We had a joke about it," Palmer said. "My comments weren't towards the manager or anything. It was just a personal thing. I felt like in the game, I was maybe being a bit safe.
"So that's where the comment came from. I wanted to get the ball and try something different than previously.
"Obviously you can't take the p*** and do like whatever you want and stuff, but I feel like he [Maresca] still gives you a little bit of room to try and see what I can do."
