Cole Palmer sparked fears that he was ill ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup when he was spotted departing Chelsea's flight to the US wearing a mask.
It came just a few days after the 23-year-old was an unused substitute in England’s defeat to Senegal earlier in the week. For those reasons, many speculated that he was a doubt for Chelsea's opening match of the tournament against LAFC.
Ahead of the match, Enzo Maresca was asked whether Palmer wearing a mask was an indicator that he was under the weather. The Italian manager, though, played down those fears. He said, per the Standard: “To be honest, I saw him on the flight with the mask, but I didn’t ask.
“I think, probably, because he was a little bit…to be honest, I don’t know if it was even for a joke, I don’t know. He is okay. He did a session two or three days in a row with us and he is okay.”
Cole Palmer Explains Why he Wore a Mask on Chelsea Flight
He has insisted it wasn't a joke
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Palmer, regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League right now, went on to start Chelsea's Club World Cup opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. He played 84 minutes as the Blues ran out 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
The Englishman spoke to the media ahead of Chelsea's second match against Flamengo, which takes place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday. Palmer was asked to clarify exactly why he wore a mask on the flight. He answered:
"It weren't a joke, I just don't like the smell of planes. So that's why I wear a mask. When I travel, I feel like the smells and that, I just don't like them. Stuff like (the air-conditioning), so that's why I wear masks, not anything else."
Palmer's odd explanation has gone viral with football fans on Reddit sharing their thoughts. One said: "Please for the love of God, when he retires from football, let him have his own travel documentary series."
Another commented: "His moments like this make me really like him, a genuinely normal goofy guy."
"He's so unintentionally hilarious", one fan said, while another stated: "Cole Palmer interviews are must-watch TV. Guy is genuinely hilarious."
Cole Palmer
Chelsea go into their second group game at the Club World Cup against Flamengo knowing a win will almost certainly be enough to see them progress to the knockout rounds. Ahead of the game, Palmer said, per the BBC:
"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. Apparently, that's all they are talking about so I expect it will be a good game."