- Palmer and Mainoo are on the cover of the December issue of GQ magazine
- The pair say they have become good friends during England’s run to the European Championship finals
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English stars Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo have emerged as cover stars for GQ magazine’s Men of the Year edition.
The magazine has stated that the issue aims to celebrate men who “break the rules, change the game and take their piece of the culture to another level.”
Palmer and Mainoo arrive after the pair enjoyed superb seasons at club level, playing a role in England reaching the final of the 2024 European Championship.
The pair were interviewed jointly by the magazine for its December issue, with the headline ‘Kobbie Mainoo & Cole Palmer Are Just Getting Started’.
The magazine highlighted Mainoo and Palmer as two players who ‘caught the nation’s attention’ on England’s route to the Euro 2024 final.
Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer are cover stars for GQ’s 2024 Men’ of the Year issue
Man United and Chelsea’s stars enjoyed breakthrough seasons before starring at the 2024 European Championship
Palmer and Mainoo said they became good friends during the 2024 European Championship in England
Mainoo had started the tournament on the bench, but was pushed into Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up as the European Championship progressed.
England fans had urged Southgate to include Palmer in the tournament, but the Chelsea star was forced to come on as a substitute.
Palmer came off the bench in stunning fashion in the Euro 2024 final to score England’s equalizer to make it 1-1 against Spain.
Southgate’s side were eventually defeated 2–1 in the final, which proved to be his last match in charge of the national team.
Mainoo and Palmer told it GQ that the pair had become close friends during the tournament in Germany, despite starring for rival Premier League clubs.
Mainoo enjoyed a rapid rise last season after breaking into the Man United team under Erik ten Hag.
The midfielder made 32 appearances for Man United’s first team, ending with a starring role in the shock victory over Man City in the FA Cup final.
Palmer made a stunning impact in his debut season at Chelsea following his summer move from Man City.
Palmer scored England’s equalizer in the Euro 2024 final before their eventual loss to Spain
Mainoo’s breakthrough season at Man United ended with FA Cup success at Wembley
Palmer has continued his stunning form at club level for Chelsea this season
He scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 appearances last season, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Despite his limited playing time at the 2024 European Championship, Palmer was named England Men’s Player of the Year last month.
Palmer has continued his stunning form for Chelsea this season, scoring seven goals in 13 games, while Mainoo’s progress has been hampered by injury.
The duo are expected to be a key part of new England manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans when he officially takes charge from January.