CHELSEA star Cole Palmer picked a shock Premier League cult hero when asked who he would choose to take a penalty to save his life.
Palmer, 22, is a spot-kick expert having scored every one of the 15 he has taken during his stellar four-year career so far.
The forward has netted ten of them with the Blues, where he already counts six goals in as many Premier League matches this season.
However, if his life depended on it, the winger would choose someone else to step up to the plate and take a penalty for him – and it is no ordinary pick.
The ex-Manchester City star would go with none other than Mario Balotelli as he remembers how dominant he was when it was just him and the opposing goalkeeper.
Palmer told BBC Sports: “One penalty taker to save my life…?
“If I can’t say me – I would but I’ll say one just for the content.
“The one that comes to my head is Balotelli.”
The interviewer seemed a bit surprised by that answer but Palmer stood by his pick.
And the England international is not wrong as Balotelli, 34, has scored a whopping 48 out of all the 53 penalties he has taken during his controversial 18-year career.
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Palmer responded: “Have you seen his pens?”
The Chelsea star was then asked if he would have any worries about Balotelli doing something unpredictable: “Nah, I trust him. Go on YouTube and search his penalties.”
Balotelli fell from grace despite playing for the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan, Man City, Liverpool and of course Italy.
That was mainly due to the current free agent’s unpredictable character.
That is why Palmer continued to be egged on by the interviewer regarding his pick.
The forward seemed to concede that point as he changed his taker and opted for a star England team-mate before adding that there are actually quite a few favourites he would go for.
Palmer said: “Actually, maybe Ivan [Toney]. I don’t know, there’s a few.”
