Chelsea star Cole Palmer left fans in shock after naming a Manchester United flop in his ultimate five-a-side team.
Palmer, who is currently out injured for Chelsea and was thus omitted from England’s squad ahead of the international break, was asked to name his five-man squad in a video released to the Blues’ official Instagram account on Thursday.
The Three Lions superstar picked himself in the star-studded line-up, a decision hailed by fans in the comments, but one selection raised eyebrows in particular.
He began the video by naming a former Chelsea goalkeeper between the sticks.
‘In net, (Thibaut) Courtois,’ Palmer said coolly.
‘The four players, I’d have (Lionel) Messi, Neymar, Ravel (Morrison) and me.’
Cole Palmer left fans in shock after naming a Man United flop in his ultimate five-a-side team
The Chelsea star named former Barcelona duo Neymar and Lionel Messi in his perfect team
The surprise inclusion in Palmer’s team was Ravel Morrison, pictured signing for Precision FC
While few would question the inclusion of Messi and Neymar, Argentina and Brazil’s all-time top scorers, plenty were surprised by Palmer’s decision to name Morrison in his ultimate team.
Morrison, 32, graduated through Manchester United’s youth academy during the late 2000s but failed to make an impression at Old Trafford at senior level, despite boasting bags of ability.
He moved to West Ham in 2012 and ultimately struggled there as well, loaned out to Birmingham City, QPR and Cardiff City before being sold to Lazio three years later.
And during his five-year spell in Rome, Morrison either stayed rooted to the bench or continued to be shipped out on loan, racking up just four appearances at the Italian club before leaving in 2019.
Since, the attacking midfielder has played for the likes of Sheffield United, Derby, Middlesbrough and DC United in the MLS, as well as short stints in Sweden and the Netherlands.
Morrison, who is now a free agent, most recently represented Dubai outfit Precision FC, sharing the dressing room with fellow former Premier League stars Matthew Lowton and Harry Arter last term.
Although Morrison has not reached the heights he could have done with the natural talent he showed as a youngster, Palmer still opted to select him in the company of Messi, Neymar and himself.
As the 32-year-old midfielder is from Palmer’s hometown of Wythenshawe, the Chelsea and England star may well have grown up idolising him and his talents.
Morrison, who is a free agent, has played for 14 clubs in his 15-year-long senior career so far
Sir Alex Ferguson insists Morrison (right) had a ‘good heart’ but his background let him down
And Palmer isn’t the only prominent football figure still to hold Morrison in highest regard.
Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken since his retirement about the respect he has for the former Red Devils midfielder, despite it ultimately not working out for him in Manchester.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in 2021, the legendary ex-United manager said: ‘My first and lasting memory of Ravel as a young lad was that he was always got time and space. He’s always available to be on the ball, so unusual for a young lad of his age.
‘Another thing about Ravel, which I’ve always treasured because no other young player who made their debut did it, was after the first game in the first team that he played, the next morning he came to my office and gave me a letter thanking me for giving me his debut. I was gobsmacked, Rio. The boy had a good heart, he was just beaten by his background.’
