Chelsea star Cole Palmer is eagerly anticipating a reunion with new manager Enzo Maresca later this summer.
He’s also flattered that the club’s new signings, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, have been mimicking his celebration.
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Palmer transferred from Manchester City to Chelsea on September 1, 2023, in a deal worth £40 million, which raised some eyebrows given his limited experience with just 19 Premier League appearances under Pep Guardiola.
However, Palmer exceeded expectations with a stellar debut season at Chelsea, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in the Premier League, earning him the title of Chelsea’s Player of the Season.
His impressive performance earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship, although he has only made two substitute appearances so far in Germany.
There is, however, a strong call for him to be in the starting lineup as England faces Switzerland for a place in the semi-finals against either the Netherlands or Turkey.
Palmer clearly thrived under Mauricio Pochettino’s management last season, despite Chelsea finishing sixth and missing out on Champions League qualification.
Pochettino left Chelsea in May and was quickly replaced by Maresca, a manager Palmer knows well from his time at Manchester City.
Asked whether it helps he has worked with Maresca previously, Palmer told talkSPORT: ‘Yeah, it helps a lot because, you know, we don’t have to go back and meet a new manager and build a relationship and stuff.
‘I already know him from the Under-21s at City, I had him for a full season. ‘Then he left and came back and joined Pep.’
Chelsea have been active in the transfer market this summer, securing agreements for South American prodigies Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, who are set to join the club in 2025.
Both 17-year-old Brazilian forward Estevao and Ecuadorian midfielder Paez have adopted Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration since joining. Palmer remarked that while it’s been flattering to see others mimic his signature move, it also feels a bit unusual.
Quizzed on how he feels about players copying the celebration, Palmer said: ‘Yeah, I saw a few players do it.
‘The two young lads who have signed for Chelsea have done it and I think a few others players as well.
‘It’s funny, isn’t it? It’s nice. Obviously they’re going to be playing with us next year so it’s nice.’
Asked if he has told them they can’t take his celebration, Palmer said: ‘No, they’re not taking it, they’re just trying to [emulate] me.’
‘It’s a bit weird, yeah, but it is what it is.’
Palmer hopes he has given Southgate a ‘decision’ to make with his superb displays off the bench ahead of England’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
‘Obviously I want to start like everyone wants to start,’ he explained.
‘But if I don’t start then I’ve got to try and make enough of an impact off the bench so I do start. ‘I’ve got to make him [Southgate] think, give him a decision.
Asked what his immediate aim is coming off the bench, Palmer said: ‘Attack. That’s my only thought when I get the ball.
‘Obviously when I can’t then I have to go backwards but my first thing is to just go.’
