The Blues have been Stateside for just under a week and face off against Brazilian club Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field tomorrow in our second Group D fixture. Enzo Maresca and his players will be hoping for a similar result to our opening match, where we ran out 2-0 winners against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta.

Tournament football creates unique environments, and the Blues squad could be together for a month should we reach the final of the Club World Cup. It's that closeness that Palmer believes will only benefit team cohesion, particularly with new players joining the group such as Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap.

Palmer has a strong connection with Delap – and Romeo Lavia – having played alongside the duo during his time in Manchester City's Academy.

‘I think being with each other every day brings us together,’ he began. ‘[For example], I’ve played with Liam for a number of years now, which started at City, and I feel like I know where he’s going to be on the pitch. I like to find him. Hopefully, I can assist him a lot this season.

‘Romeo and Liam are my age, and I’ve played with them for a while. Obviously, Tosin is from Manchester too, and we have a good friendship.

‘We’ve played at England together at different levels with Noni, Liam and Noni so I feel like it’s a good group and we get on well.’

Cole is also pleased to have made a significant change during the off-season, switching his squad number from 20 to 10. As he explains, it's a decision taken to follow in the footsteps of two of his footballing idols.

‘I wore No.10 growing up and I like the number,’ Palmer added. ‘Lionel Messi is, obviously, the big one [who has worn the number] and then players like Wayne Rooney – it’s just a really iconic number.’

Chelsea's game against Flamengo kicks off at 7pm UK time on Friday. You can watch that and every other game at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live for free by signing up with DAZN here