Chelsea star Cole Palmer has opened up about his signature ‘cold’ goal celebration, his close friendship with new teammate Morgan Rogers, and the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup squad. Speaking during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Sydney, Australia, Palmer discussed his bond with Rogers, who recently joined the club from Aston Villa in a significant transfer.
Sharing the ‘Cold’ Celebration
Palmer, who has playfully ‘trademarked’ his ‘cold’ celebration, indicated that he is happy to share it with his close friend and new teammate, Morgan Rogers. The intellectual property office registration was a lighthearted jab, but Palmer confirmed that the celebration will be a joint effort.
“Nah, we’ll do it together, I think,” Palmer stated when asked about Rogers using his celebration. “We’ve never actually spoke about it. He does it. I do it. I always speak to him but when I heard Chelsea were trying to sign him, I was texting him even more. He was probably sick of me but at least he’s here now!”
Rogers confirmed his move to Chelsea directly with Palmer before it became public knowledge, a secret they managed to keep with the club’s senior staff. Palmer expressed his delight at having his boyhood friend join him at Stamford Bridge.
A Friendship Forged in Youth Academies
The connection between Palmer and Rogers dates back to their time together in the Manchester City academy. Palmer highlighted their differing playing styles, with Rogers being more physical and adept at driving with the ball, while Palmer focuses on passing. He believes their contrasting attributes will complement each other on the pitch.
“We’re two different players. He’s more physical than me, on and off the ball. He likes to drive with it. I like to play passes. I think we can play well together, and we played together when we were young (in the academy of Manchester City),” Palmer explained.
World Cup Disappointment and Summer Reset
The interview also touched upon Palmer’s omission from the England squad for the recent World Cup. While acknowledging the sting of not being selected, he suggested it has fueled his determination for the upcoming season.
“If someone told you that you’re essentially not good enough to get in the squad, then you’re going to think, like, alright, whatever then, try to go that extra bit harder,” Palmer commented on his motivation.
Despite the disappointment, Palmer managed to watch some of the World Cup matches, though time differences and his own holiday schedule made it challenging. He admitted to falling asleep at half-time during England’s round of 16 match against Mexico, which kicked off in the early hours of the morning.
A Much-Needed Break
The summer break provided Palmer with a rare opportunity to rest and recover after several consecutive seasons involving international tournaments or club commitments. He had participated in the U21 Euros in 2023, the Euros in 2024, and the Club World Cup in 2025, leaving him with little off-season time.
“My summer was great. I had like seven weeks off or summit. Which I’ve never really had. It was good. I went on holiday with my family and that. I feel fresh,” Palmer shared. He even confessed to getting bored after several weeks and feeling eager to return to football.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also reached out to Palmer during his downtime, offering words of encouragement after the World Cup snub. Palmer described Alonso and his staff as a “breath of fresh air” with their innovative ideas.
Battling Injury and Considering Surgery
Palmer’s previous season was significantly impacted by a groin injury, which he found difficult to manage. Being sidelined was a new and challenging experience for him.
“I didn’t really know how to deal with it,” Palmer admitted. “The first few months, with me being injured, I just wanted to go out and play. Which I probably shouldn’t have done. Obviously I couldn’t play how I wanted to play. It was a bad season personally with injuries and stuff but I feel good now. The seven weeks obviously helped. I’m ready to go again.”
He revealed that during this period, he even considered undergoing surgery and sought expert medical advice in Scandinavia, though ultimately opted against it.
