Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s newest sensation, has provided an explanation of his confrontation with Erling Haaland following his attempt to listen in on a Manchester City team conversation.
On Sunday, the Manchester City academy graduate faced his old team and gave them a brilliant performance that was topped off with a cool stoppage time penalty to make the score 4–4. Palmer participated actively in the whole game and came dangerously close to scoring another with an individual run reminiscent of Eden Hazard’s. While he sought to eavesdrop on City’s late team meeting, he also made an effort to get back at his old teammates.
WHAT PALMER SAID
Palmer has since lifted the lid on that incident, which saw Erling Haaland push him away roughly, as he told reporters on Wednesday: “No I didn’t hear anything [from the team chat], I was just having a laugh to be honest! I think Erling found it pretty funny, I don’t think the others did.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Palmer’s jokey actions will only have endeared himself even more to the Chelsea faithful, after his impressive start to life in west London has already made him a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge. It also saw him earn a call up to the England senior squad from the Under-21s set-up – a decision which he revealed he thought was a joke.
DID YOU KNOW?
Palmer has been involved in eight goal contributions in 11 matches for Chelsea this season. He tops the club’s assists rankings with four to his name, alongside midfielder Conor Gallagher.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?A maiden senior international appearance awaits. The Chelsea forward has featured heavily for England at youth level and starred during the Three Lions’ triumphant Under-21 World Cup run in July. He will look to get his first minutes under Gareth Southgate when they take on Malta and North Macedonia on November 17 and 20, respectively.
