‘It’s not a joke!’ Cole Palmer explains his face mask choice during Chelsea’s travel to the Club World Cup

Recently, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer was seen disembarking from the team’s plane in the United States wearing a disposable face mask. The 23-year-old clarified that his decision was not due to illness or as a joke, but because he dislikes the smell of planes, particularly the air-conditioning, and wears a mask to shield himself from these odors.

Palmer, who traveled to the U.S. after completing international duty with England, explained, “It weren’t a joke, I just don’t like the smell of planes. So that’s why I wear a mask. When I travel, I feel like the smells and that, I just don’t like them—stuff like the air-conditioning.” He also revealed that he did not tell his teammate Enzo Fernandez about his reasons, and Fernandez initially thought he was joking.

The player has been in the spotlight beyond his travel habits, notably for his performance on the field. Against MLS opposition, Palmer stood out during a match in Los Angeles, which Chelsea won 2-0 in front of a sparse crowd. His coach, Enzo Maresca, expressed satisfaction with Palmer’s recent form, praising his initiative and responsibility on the pitch. Maresca even hinted at encouraging Palmer to take more attacking risks, especially after he had expressed boredom with the team’s previous style of play in the UEFA Conference League final.

Palmer’s proactive approach was evident during the game, where he attempted to beat opponents one-on-one, aligning with Maresca’s praise that he’s their top player and hopes to continue his positive contributions. As Chelsea prepares for their next match against Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, expectations are high for Palmer to maintain his upward trajectory and influence in the tournament.

Cole Palmer was the only Chelsea player seen wearing a face mask during travel