Cole Palmer Aims to Become Iconic Number 10 at Chelsea Inspired by Rooney and Messi

Cole Palmer Aims to Become Iconic Number 10 at Chelsea Inspired by Rooney and Messi

Cole Palmer has embraced the responsibility of wearing Chelsea’s iconic Noumber 10 shirt, drawing inspiration from football legends Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi as he looks to write his own legacy at Stamford Bridge.

What’s Happened?

Palmer, 23, inherited the No.10 shirt from teammate Mykhailo Mudryk—who is currently facing a provisional suspension after being charged by the FA for a doping offence. While Mudryk’s future remains uncertain, Palmer has stepped up as Chelsea’s creative leader.

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Palmer on the Number 10 Shirt

“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.”

On Mudryk, he added:

“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.”

Also, read: Estevao Willian Impresses Again Ahead of Chelsea Move

Pressure? What Pressure?

Palmer insists he isn’t weighed down by expectation:

“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… I like to go and play five-a-side and go to the astro and just do normal things.”

Palmer is currently a strong contender for the 2024–25 PFA Player of the Year, having led Chelsea to both Champions League qualification and Conference League victory. Now, he has his sights set on helping the Blues lift the FIFA Club World Cup.

In a recent image shared by Chelsea’s official social media handles, 23-year-old Cole Palmer was spotted wearing a Richard Mille RM-07 timepiece. The limited-edition titanium timepiece, valued at approximately £220,000, features blue, white, red, and green accents — colors that correspond to the Italian flag, and are speculated to be a tribute to the heritage of Italian luxury carmakers such as Ferrari.

While the cost places the watch well beyond the means of most individuals, it’s quite restrained compared to a different Richard Mille model seen on Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool star was wearing an RM17-02, reported to be worth around £725,000, when he put pen to paper on his agreement earlier this year.

Cole Palmer Aims to Become Iconic Number 10 at Chelsea Inspired by Rooney and Messi