Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea with Cole Palmer
Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea with Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has aspirations to claim the legendary Ballon d'Or but more than anything misses playing football with his friends.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since moving to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City and plans to push further than the PFA Young Player of the Year he won in August. In the most recent judgment of the world's best, Chelsea's maestro finished 25th as Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the prize.
After an impressive start to the season, Palmer has being named world No.1 on his list of aspirations.
"Ballon d'Or, that's what everyone wants to win," he said on the Men In Blazers podcast. "I wish."
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The Mancunian's journey has seen him change city and alter his way of life. As cold as he remains on the football pitch, he can no longer chill out on a simple trip to McDonalds and is instead recognised everywhere.
"Yeah, it has changed massively," he said. "You can't go to certain places because you'll get pestered and you can't be bothered with it because you just want to chill.
"When you go to a shop round the corner you might think, 'Oh someone is watching me' or something.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates his goal against Aston Villa
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates his goal against Aston Villa
"(I miss) going to play five-a-side. I swear that's actually true. Yeah, just going to five-a-side with mates and playing."
Palmer's boss, Enzo Maresca, is pleased it's no longer all eyes on Chelsea's talisman however. Where last season everyone looked towards the ex-City ace to produce, this term Christopher Nkunku has netted 10 times and striker Nicolas Jackson eight. Palmer has still found the net nine times and made six assists of course.
"If you remember in my first press conference I said that we cannot rely on Cole for every game because it is not correct," said Maresca on Friday. "He has to enjoy football. But if we prepare the season thinking Cole is the only solution then we are wrong. We work every day to allow Cole to be in situations where he can be the best and be good."
Palmer is not the only player earning plaudits, and while Chelsea are benefitting from improved performances, perhaps their £42.5million signing could face future competition in the Ballon d'Or race from a teammate. Only Palmer and midfielder Moises Caicedo have started every Premier League match for the west London side and the Ecuador international is showing hints of why the Blues spent £115m.
Maresca believes the all-action star can already be compared to the player voted the world's best.
“He is for sure now at that level," the Italian said. "No doubt. Unfortunately, Rodri is injured but Declan [Rice] is playing. But I think Moises can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.”
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