If you recognise any Wayne Rooney in Cole Palmer, it’s because the Chelsea and England star used to try and copy the Manchester United legend as a kid.
Palmer has gone from rarely-seen prospect to one of the best players in the Premier League since the start of last season.
His move from Manchester City to Chelsea seemed risky but has paid off for him personally after a stunning run of form for the Blues.
The 22-year-old scored 25 goals in his first season in west London and has already netted seven times this campaign.
Palmer may not be a striker, but his eye for goal is brilliant and partly because he learned from one of the best goal-scorers in Premier League history.
The Blues star grew up as a Manchester United fan and would try and replicate Wayne Rooney goals after watching him score for the Red Devils.
‘If he’d scored a goal on the weekend, I would go out and see if I could do it,’ Palmer told The Telegraph of his days as a kid in Wythenshawe’s Hollyhedge Park.
‘My family still live in Wythenshawe, so when I’m going past the park I always try to stop and remember it. I do try to take it in my stride, but you do sometimes have moments when you think, “Maybe 12 months ago none of this was like this, maybe I could go more places and do things.”
‘I do stop and think, “Wow, it has changed fast.” I’m still getting used to it.’
It is a new life for Palmer, living in Surrey and playing for the west London club, but he is enjoying it, despite not being totally converted to his new surroundings.
‘Manchester’s better, but I don’t mind it,’ he said. ‘I do like it around here, because it’s quiet, there are no distractions. Everyone you would go out with on a day-to-day basis is nowhere near you.’
Palmer’s Manchester United connection extends beyond idolising Rooney as he says David Beckham reached out to him during his brilliant last year.
However, the former England captain was a bit before his time.
‘Beckham messaged me. I scored one day, and I saw him in my DMs,’ Palmer told GQ Magazine.
Asked if he watched much of Beckham for the Red Devils, he said: ‘Not really. I was a bit young.’
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