Cole Palmer hails new teammate who “changed the game” and another who’s “always been there” | OneFootball

Cole Palmer scored his first open play goal since January on Friday night when he made a lovely spin through the Palmeiras defence last night and stroked the ball beyond Weverton in goal.

He went directly to celebrate with his friend Tosin Adarabioyo on the bench, and after the game was asked why he had picked out the defender in particular.

Palmer heads to his most supportive friend after important goal

Cole Palmer celebrates scoring against Palmeiras. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

“That’s my boy. Obviously, I’ve had a difficult time these past whatever months on and off the pitch, but he’s always been there for me and he’s helped me a lot,” Palmer explained.

“So, yeah, I just thought I’d go over to him.”

He had a little bit of a goal drought in the spring, but it’s a surprise to hear him talk about a difficult time “on and off the pitch.”

Perhaps he was taking it all harder than his laid back personality shows.

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Palmer hails new signing who “changed the game”

Palmer was also asked about new man Joao Pedro, who made a rather surprising cameo off the bench, just 3 days after signing for the club and is now in line to face Fluminense, the club where he came through the ranks, in the next round.

“Is it his boyhood club? Nice. I think he did very well tonight. I think he changed the game for us,” Palmer said.

“Obviously, he’s been on holiday in Brazil and we didn’t know what to expect from [in terms of] match sharpness and things, but tonight, I think he changed the game.”

The striker certainly brought a lot to the team, coming on when things were a little wobbly after the equaliser and really throwing himself around in a physical game to get his team going again.

We can see him and Palmer building a nice little partnership.