"He's the best footballer ever" - Chelsea's Cole Palmer hails Lionel Messi while naming 3 celebrities that he'd like to have Christmas dinner with

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has once again expressed his love for Lionel Messi, including him among the three celebrities he’d like to have Christmas dinner with. The England midfielder reiterated that the Argentine icon is the best footballer to ever play the game.

In 2023, Palmer picked Messi as his GOAT in an interview with Sky Sports. In another interview with GOAL in August, the 22-year-old threw his weight behind the Argentine icon in the never-ending debate.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in 2023, Cole Palmer has enthralled Chelsea fans with his amazing performances. His impact at the club has consequently put him in the bracket of the current best young players in the world. The former Manchester City man is left-footed and renowned for his technical prowess on the ball. His football ability has made pundits like Gary Lineker compare his performances with that of Lionel Messi.

However, before earning comparisons with Messi, Palmer had revealed that his football idol growing up was the Argentine icon. In a recent interview with Premier League, he was asked to name three celebs, past or present, with whom he would want to have Christmas dinner. His picks included Lionel Messi, Jamaican musician Vybz Kartel, and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

"Lionel Messi because he’s the best footballer ever. Number two, Vybz Kartel, and number three, Michael Jordan," Palmer said.

Palmer has continued his impressive run of form at Chelsea, having scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 19 games across competitions this season.

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Cole Palmer gets angry every time Chelsea teammate calls him a two-word nickname

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has revealed that Cole Palmer is always pissed off whenever he is called ‘Chippy Man’. The Englishman is now a sensation not only on the pitch but also off the pitch. Early this year, Palmer told BBC Sport that his go-to post-match meal is chippy chips, and his statement made him a subject of viral memes.

The current Chelsea players are known for teasing each other. Madueke found Palmer’s statement hilarious and gave him a food-based nickname, 'Chippy man'.

Palmer, however, isn’t a fan of Madueke’s created name. Speaking on Palmer’s reaction whenever he’s called ‘Chippy Man,’ Madueke said in an interview on Amazon Prime Video (via SPORTbible):

"The thing about Palmer is that the guy genuinely loves football so much. I feel like he could be out there on the lawn just kicking a ball around from morning till night."

On the nickname, he said:

"It's chippy man, I call him that all the time. He gets angry but it's calm. Chippy, that's him man. Chippy chips. He's going to be fuming when he sees this!"

Palmer will next be in action on Boxing Day (December 26) when Chelsea host Fulham in the Premier League.