Chelsea playmaker, Cole Palmer, has admitted he took the number 10 shirt in a bid to emulate his idols Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.

Palmer took the No. 20 shirt when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

The 23-year-old donned the new number on Monday, when the Blues defeated Los Angeles FC 2-0 at the Club World Cup.

“Messi, the big one, Rooney and players like that,” Palmer replied, when asked about his role models that wore the number.

“It’s just an iconic number. I wore No. 10 all my life growing up and I just like the number.”

Palmer takes the Chelsea no. 10 shirt from Mykhailo Mudryk.

Mudryk is facing a potential four-year ban for charges relating to a positive drugs test.

“I have not spoken to Misha yet but I will when the time is right,” Palmer added.