Chelsea winger Cole Palmer has been turning heads this season with his standout performances, but when it came to selecting his ultimate 5-a-side team, it wasn’t his current Chelsea teammates he chose, Soccernet.football reports.
Instead, the 21-year-old opted for some familiar faces from his time at Manchester City, with one surprise inclusion.
Palmer, who has been in sensational form since the start of the 2023/24 season, scored six goals and provided four assists in his first six games for Chelsea.
In his remarkable display against Brighton & Hove Albion, the young winger became the first player to score four goals in a Premier League first half, solidifying his reputation as one of England’s most exciting talents.
Despite his success at Chelsea, Palmer chose not to include any current teammates in his ultimate 5-a-side team.
Speaking to the EFL’s TikTok account, Palmer revealed his picks, starting with Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. He explained: “In goal, I’m going to go with James Trafford because I’ve played with him at England for many years and I think he’s going to be a top keeper.”
Trafford’s inclusion was unexpected, but the rest of Palmer’s squad was packed with stars from his days at Manchester City.
He named John Stones and former Chelsea man Thiago Silva as his defenders, praising Stones as “an amazing player and a great person” and noting Silva’s experience and quality.
Up front, Palmer went for two of his former Man City colleagues, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. He was full of admiration for both, saying, “My two forwards are going to be Kevin De Bruyne—everyone knows what he can do—and Erling Haaland—I don’t really need to explain much about him.”
With De Bruyne’s creative genius and Haaland’s unmatched goal-scoring ability, Palmer’s hypothetical 5-a-side team is a formidable mix of talent.
Despite his Chelsea success, it’s clear Palmer still holds his former City teammates in high regard.
