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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Ewan Ross-Murray

Cole Palmer Names Two Inspirations Behind ‘Iconic’ Chelsea Number Change

Cole Palmer wore the No. 20 shirt in his first two seasons with the Blues. | IMAGO/Visionhaus

Cole Palmer revealed two of the players that inspired him to switch to the No. 10 shirt at Chelsea, one of whom is eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

The England international took the No. 20 shirt upon first arrival at Stamford Bridge but has changed to the No.10 shirt for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and new Premier League season. The shirt has most recently been worn by Mykahilo Mudryk, who, despite still being at Chelsea, is facing a lengthy suspension after being charged with a doping offence.

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