Tyrick Mitchell: Crystal Palace full-back reveals inspiration from iconic Premier League duo - ‘They’re serious’
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/04/image-74fa2946-29d7-46cb-b7fa-dd57662124d3-68-310-310.jpeg)
Updated 24/04/2025 at 18:22 GMT+1
Crystal Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell has revealed who he idolised as a child growing up in north-west London. In an interview with TNT Sports on Kenny Allstar's Number Ones, he also spoke about making his Premier League debut in a crowdless stadium and getting his first call-up for England. Mitchell is now a regular starter at Selhurst Park and this season surpassed 150 appearances.
Kenny Allstar’s Number 1’s - Mitchell talks Palace life, breaking through, football idols
Video credit: TNT Sports
Growing up in the 2000s just a few miles from where he would eventually make his England debut, Tyrick Mitchell would idolise some of the Premier League’s most legendary left-backs.
His journey to the top tier of English football began in north-west London, playing for local sides like AFC Wembley.
"I was just young and enjoying football," he told TNT Sports on Kenny Allstar’s Number Ones.
"We had a very good team so that made it even better. We played a lot of teams, we won a lot of games."
Like all young boys dreaming of one day becoming a professional, Mitchell had his heroes.
Born in 1999, he grew up in an era of Premier League greats and some legendary title fights.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/24/4120603-83549713-2560-1440.jpg)
'A mad feeling' - Mitchell on his England debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
It is no surprise that two of his idols from back in the day played for Manchester United and Chelsea, who famously battled out UEFA Champions League and FA Cup finals during his childhood.
"Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra… they were guys that I looked at and they were playing at the best teams at that period in time.
"You just look at [them] and you’re like yeah, they’re serious.
"The thing about those guys is they were good at both things. They could attack and they could defend, and that’s something I looked at and was inspired by."
Having joined Crystal Palace’s academy in 2016, Mitchell was called up to a first-team pre-season training camp in 2019.
After injuries initially derailed his professional debut for The Eagles, he made his first appearance in July 2020 when a crowdless Premier League returned following the Covid-hit season.
"It wasn’t too bad for me because I didn’t experience big crowds before," he added.
"I’m used to hearing the manager shout and players on the pitch… It was when fans started to come in, that’s when it got a bit mad.
"You have 25,000 people screaming and shouting… you felt the pressure. You’re playing for yourself, you’re playing for your team-mates, but then you’re playing for that random guy, girl or kid in the crowd that’s cheering you on - that’s when it was kind of mad for me."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/11/4118369-83505028-2560-1440.jpg)
Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace FC at St Mary's Stadium on April 2, 2025 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Less than two years later, Mitchell was back playing in north London again - this time making his international debut.
He came on as a second-half substitute for Gareth Southgate, as England came from a goal down to win 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
"The whole time just felt surreal, like a dream," he said. You’re around a lot of players with multiple caps, you’re around big internationals. It didn’t fully sink in until after the camp.
"When we got to Wembley Stadium it was a mad feeling and a proud feeling, because I knew my mum was there, family members were there, friends were there.
"It’s mad when I’ve got friends who, on match days, work at Wembley Stadium. It’s hard to explain it, but it’s just a surreal moment."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/12/4118496-83507568-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Man City fight back to put five past Palace
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mitchell, 25, continues to impress in a Palace shirt. He is a regular starter at Selhurst Park and this season surpassed 150 appearances for The Eagles.
His performances have not gone unnoticed elsewhere either, with clubs from some of Europe’s top leagues reported to have expressed interest in signing him.
Watch the 2024/25 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+
React to this story
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement