It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he’s revealed what would need to happen to do so.
The Chelsea star has proven himself as one of the Premier League’s top stars since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
In that time just about everything has gone right for the forward, meaning that when posed with the choice on ultimate football humiliations, he could be forgiven for being stuck.
Speaking at the GQ Men Of The Year awards, Palmer was asked on the red carpet if he would rather score an own goal or get substituted in the first half.
Without missing a beat, Palmer said: “Oohh, an own goal.
“When you get subbed in the first half it damages you.
“It’s never happened to me, touch wood.”
While own goals can be the result of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, being subbed off in the first half is a big no-no.
Having started a game, being hooked off so early in a game in usually a telltale sign that you’re performing particularly badly.
Given Palmer’s form of late, it’s no surprise at all that he’s yet to experience the humiliation of being brought off early.
Since joining Chelsea from Man City, Palmer has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 58 games.
He’s also established himself as an England star, winning 11 caps and scoring two goals along the way.
Part of Palmer’s success has been his ability to link up with Noni Madueke for both club and country.
Speaking to talkSPORT about their relationship, the winger said: “We’ve been playing with each other for eight years now I think in the exact same positions we’re playing in now.
“So it’s great he’s my teammate and we’ve got a good relationship off the pitch as well, but on the pitch we know each other’s games.
“It’s easy to play with someone like that because he knows what you like to do, and I know what he likes to do.
“We have a good chemistry and long may it continue.”