Cole Palmer Opens Up on Cinema Hatred Despite £130k-a-Week Wages After Shock England World Cup Snub

Cole Palmer’s omission from England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad has dominated football discussion, but the Chelsea forward briefly shifted attention away from the pitch when a candid interview with Sky Sports took an unexpected turn — revealing his well-documented aversion to cinemas.

Palmer, 24, who earns a reported £130,000 per week, was among the high-profile names dropped by England head coach Thomas Tuchel when the manager named his final squad for the upcoming tournament. Phil Foden and Harry Maguire were also left out, with Tuchel subsequently defending each of those decisions publicly.

When asked by the interviewer about the last film he had watched, Palmer was direct: “I don’t watch films and I hate the cinema.” He then proceeded to list his specific objections to the moviegoing experience.

“I’ve got reasons,” Palmer said. “One, the TV is too big. Two, the TV is too loud, three, the snacks are so expensive. And four, just loads of other people there and you’ve got to be quiet. So, yeah, that’s my five reasons why cinemas are rubbish.”

The response drew immediate attention online, in part because Palmer cited four distinct reasons while referring to them collectively as five — a detail that was widely noted across social media. The clip, shared by Sky Sports Football on Instagram, spread rapidly across football fan communities.

Palmer grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and came through the academy system at Manchester City before joining Chelsea. Despite his significant earnings at Stamford Bridge, his remarks on cinema pricing resonated with a broad audience, with many supporters describing the comments as unusually relatable for a footballer at his level.

The interview arrives at a difficult moment professionally for Palmer. His exclusion from the England World Cup squad, alongside Foden’s omission, represents one of the more debated selection calls of Tuchel’s tenure as national team manager. Tuchel has addressed the decision publicly, but the omission remains a significant talking point ahead of the tournament.

Palmer has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, establishing himself as a key creative and attacking presence in the Premier League. His absence from the England setup — rather than the squad’s depth — is what has drawn scrutiny from pundits and supporters alike.

The Sky Sports interview has since circulated widely, with the cinema segment functioning largely independently of the World Cup context in which it was conducted. For Palmer, the clip has added an unexpected dimension to what has otherwise been a difficult week following Tuchel’s squad announcement.