Cole Palmer has quickly become one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League, propelling Chelsea into serious title contention with his dazzling performances.
The England international’s rise has been meteoric, but beyond the media hype, there are some fascinating aspects of his life and career that many fans may not know.
Here are 15 things you might not know about the Chelsea ace.
1. A Rich Heritage
Palmer hails from Afro-Kittitian descent, with his father having emigrated from St Kitts and Nevis to the UK in 1960.
Cole Palmer and his parents
His great-grandparents were part of the Windrush generation, who played a significant role in shaping modern Britain.
2. Father’s Football Influence
Though his father worked as an engineer, football played a major role in his life, spending over 20 years playing Sunday league football for Blackboy FC in Manchester.
Palmer’s mother, on the other hand, is a dyslexia assessor, showing the diverse professional influences around him growing up.
3. A United Fan Growing Up
Despite coming through Manchester City’s academy, Palmer grew up as a Manchester United fan.
In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, he admitted to supporting United during his childhood, even though his career path would later lead him to the blue side of Manchester.
4. Idolizing Wayne Rooney
Although Palmer was a United fan, his footballing idol was none other than Wayne Rooney. The Chelsea star revealed that Rooney was the player who made the most significant impact on him as a young boy, saying, “What a player.”
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney taking a penalty at Old Trafford against Arsenal.
5. Personal Touch on His Boots
Palmer’s Nike boots carry a personal tribute to his family’s heritage. He proudly displays the flags of both England and St Kitts and Nevis, symbolizing his deep connection to his roots on the field.
Cole Palmer’s match day boot
6. The Shiver Celebration
One of Palmer’s trademarks is his shiver celebration after scoring. However, this gesture wasn’t originally his idea.
Cold Palmer shivering celebration
It was created by former Manchester City youth teammate Morgan Rogers, who did it first. Palmer later adopted the celebration, promising to use it if he scored.
7. Unbeaten Penalty Record
Palmer has developed a near-flawless reputation from the penalty spot. After his masterclass against Tottenham in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 win, he now holds a remarkable record of 12 out of 12 penalties converted in the Premier League, the longest 100% conversion streak in the competition’s history.
8. Chelsea’s Record-Breaking Hat-Trick Hero
In a memorable 4-2 victory over Brighton in September 2024, Palmer etched his name in Chelsea history by scoring the fastest Premier League hat-trick in the club’s history.
He netted three goals in just 9 minutes and 48 seconds, a feat that stunned fans and pundits alike.
9. Four Goals in One Half
In the same game, Palmer didn’t stop there—he went on to score four goals in the first half, making him the first player in Premier League history to achieve such a feat in under 20 minutes.
Next stop for Cole Palmer: 100 goal involvements
How quickly will he get there? pic.twitter.com/Z5p4PfnvCT
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 24, 2024
His incredible 19-minute and 57-second spell of goal-scoring was a record-breaking performance.
10. Choosing City Over United
Before joining Manchester City, Palmer was courted by both United and City. His standout performances for NJ Wythenshawe as a youth player caught the attention of both clubs.
Ultimately, Palmer’s family felt that City’s youth development pathway offered the best opportunity, and he joined their academy at just 8 years old.
11. A Footballing Brain Ahead of His Time
One of Palmer’s first coaches at NJ Wythenshawe, Graeme Fowler, praised his exceptional footballing intelligence from a young age. Fowler described Palmer as “miles ahead” of his peers in terms of his technical ability and decision-making, saying his footballing brain was “incredible” for someone so young.
12. Ballon d’Or Ambitions
At just 22 years old, Palmer is already setting his sights on the Ballon d’Or. While he finished 25th in the 2024 rankings, his ambition to reach the pinnacle of world football is clear. “The Ballon d’Or, that’s the one everyone wants to win,” he said, demonstrating his determination to achieve greatness.
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13. Euro 2024 Final Glory
Palmer made history on the international stage during the Euro 2024 final against Spain. In the 73rd minute, he scored a crucial equalizer, making him the first English player to score in a major tournament final on foreign soil.
His goal helped propel England to a hard-fought draw, showing his ability to shine on the biggest stage.
14. Lucrative Sponsorships
Off the pitch, Palmer has already begun capitalizing on his growing fame. In addition to signing lucrative Nike sponsorship deals, he also partnered with Boohoo in 2023.
To manage his external revenue, Palmer has even set up his own media representation company, ensuring he capitalizes on his marketability.
15. Privately Educated
Palmer’s education journey was as impressive as his football career. He attended St Bede’s College, a private school in Manchester, where he balanced his academics with football training
. The school modified its timetable to accommodate his football commitments with Manchester City’s academy, demonstrating an early commitment to his development as both a student and a player.
As Palmer continues to light up the Premier League, it’s clear that his story is only just beginning. With his immense talent, a growing list of records, and an insatiable drive to succeed, the future looks incredibly bright for Chelsea’s rising star.