Cole Palmer has been praised for featuring two national flags on his football boost every time he plays for Chelsea and England.
Palmer was a star performer for Chelsea in their Club World Cup triumph, scoring twice and registering an assist as the Blues eased to a 3-0 win over PSG on Sunday night.
The 23-year-old has been arguably Chelsea’s most important player since he joined from Manchester City two years ago, a move that raised eyebrows at the time.
And even when he turns out for England, Palmer’s boots feature not one but two national flags.
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Why does Palmer have two national flags on his boots?
That’s because Palmer has Caribbean heritage through his grandfather, who was born and raised in St. Kitts and Nevis before migrating to England in 1960.
Palmer this week visited St. Kitts and Nevis, where he was presented with a national jersey and indigenous Caribbean art to celebrate his heritage the islands’ pride in his achievements.
“It was a tremendous honour to welcome English Premier League star Cole Palmer and his family to St. Kitts and Nevis today, July 15th,” the Honourable Dr Terrance Drew, the Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis said on his official X account.
“Cole’s journey from Manchester to the global stage is not just an inspiring sports story, it is a powerful reflection of the strength and potential that lies within the Kittitian and Nevisian diaspora.
“This visit was deeply meaningful, not only because of Cole’s remarkable rise in international football, but because of his strong ancestral ties to St. Kitts. His grandfather, a proud Kittitian, was born and raised right here before migrating to England.
“During our meeting, I had the opportunity to present Cole with our national team jersey and a special piece of indigenous Caribbean art, symbols of his ancestral heritage and our pride in his achievements.
“As I told him personally, he is not just visiting, he is home.
“We look forward to deepening this bond and ensuring his visit reflects what we already know in our hearts: Cole Palmer is a son of the soil!”
Palmer explains duel-flag decision
The winger has previously explained his decision to sport flags of both England and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Speaking to the Players’ Tribune about his father, Palmer said: "He used to say, 'No point trying to shoot if you can’t keep hold of the ball in the first place.'
"We would do that every single day whatever the weather — and my dad’s family is from St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. He hates going out in the cold. But he'd do it for me anyway. That’s why I got the St Kitts flag on my boots, as a little tribute to him and his family."
Palmer and his Chelsea teammates will now be allowed an extended summer break following their US exploits with the Blues’ pre-season kicking off in the week commencing August 4th.
Topics: Chelsea, Cole Palmer, England, Football, Premier League
Ben McAleer