“I just try to go out there and play my game… I always try to enjoy my football, game by game.”
— Cole Palmer, speaking to Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 2–1 win over Newcastle in October 2024
Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cole Jermaine Palmer |
| Nickname(s) | • Cold Palmer • Beans • Chippy Man • The Sloth |
| Profession | Footballer |
Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight (approx.) | 76 kg |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Hair Colour | Light Brown / Blonde |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| EA Sports FC 25 Rating | • Pace: 75 • Shooting: 82 • Passing: 83 • Dribbling: 86 • Defense: 50 • Physical: 66 |
Football | |
| Professional Debut | September 30, 2020 for Manchester City vs. Burnley (age 18 years, 3 months, 9 days) |
| International Debut | October 13, 2023 for England against Australia (age 21 years, 3 months, ~22 days) |
| International Career | ➤ England: 2023-present (11 caps, 2 goals) ➤ England U21: 2021-2023 (15 caps, 5 goals) ➤ England U18: 2019 (9 caps, 2 goals) ➤ England U17: 2019 (3 caps, 0 goal) ➤ England U16: 2017 (2 caps, 0 goal) |
| Clubs | • Chelsea FC (2023 – Present) • Manchester City (2020 – 2023) |
| Position | Midfield – Attacking Midfield |
| Jersey Number | — #10 (for the Premier League club Chelsea) — #24 (for the England National team)  — #80 (for Manchester City during the 2020-23 seasons)  |
| Current Team | Chelsea |
| Transfers and Loans | — August 2023: Manchester City ➝ Chelsea (£42.5 million – including add-ons) |
| Coach/Mentor | Pep Guardiola, Enzo Maresca, Lee Carsley |
| Notable Records | ➤ Most Premier League goals and assists in a calendar year for Chelsea (39 Premier League goals – (26 goals, 13 assists) ➤ Second-fastest Chelsea player to reach 30 Premier League goal involvements (30 goal contributions (goals + assists) in just 48 league matches) ➤ First Chelsea player to score four goals in a first-half Premier League match (done in a game vs. Brighton in September 2024) ➤ Fastest hat-trick in Chelsea Premier League history (completed in just 9 minutes 48 seconds against Everton in April 2024) ➤ First Chelsea player to score hat-tricks in consecutive home Premier League games within a single season ➤ Perfect penalty record broken — 12 consecutive successful Premier League penalties (became the first player in PL history to score 12 penalties without missing) ➤ Youngest Chelsea player aged 21 or under with 20+ goals and 10+ assists in a PL season (only the third Chelsea player to reach that milestone, joining Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba) |
| Awards, Honours, Achievements | • PFA Young Player of the Year – 2023–24 season (Premier League) • PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Year – 2023–24 • Premier League Young Player of the Season – 2023–24 • Premier League Game Changer of the Season – 2023–24 (Castrol award) • Chelsea Player of the Season – 2023–24 (voted by fans) • Chelsea Players’ Player of the Season – 2023–24 • London Football Awards – Men’s Young Player of the Year – 2024 • London Football Awards – Premier League Player of the Year – 2025 • London Football Awards – Goal of the Season – 2025 (brace vs Brighton) • Named MVP (Golden Ball) of Club World Cup 2025 — key contributor to Chelsea’s 3–0 final victory over PSG • Player of the Match – UEFA Conference League Final 2025 (Chelsea 4–1 Betis) • Part of UEFA Conference League Team of the Season – 2024–25 |
Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 6 May 2002 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 23 years |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Nationality | English |
| Place of Birth | Wythenshawe, Manchester, England |
| Residence | Moles Hill, Oxshott, England (owns a £3.75 million house) |
| College/University | did not attend college or university |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (White British and Afro-Kittitian descent) |
| Hobbies | Spending time with family and friends, Playing video games Listening to music |
| Controversies | • Penalty Taker Dispute (Everton match April 2024) During Chelsea’s dominant win over Everton, Palmer was involved in a public on-pitch disagreement with teammates Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke over who should take a penalty. Despite being the designated taker, he was initially challenged by Jackson before manager Enzo Maresca stepped in to confirm Palmer’s authority. The incident drew media attention and sparked brief questions about discipline within the squad. [1] • Explicit Post-Match Comment on Live TV (May 2024) After ending an 18-game goal drought with a decisive penalty against Liverpool, Palmer told Sky Sports: “S** happens”* and called social media critics “idiots.” His candid remark sparked debate online and led to a formal apology from the broadcaster. Analysts praised his mental strength, stressing context and intent mattered over the language. [2] • Guardiola Interaction Criticism (March 2024) After a high-stakes match between Chelsea and Manchester City, Palmer was spotted warmly embracing Pep Guardiola, his former manager. Though the gesture seemed respectful, it drew criticism from pundits like Gary Neville, who felt the moment was poorly timed given Chelsea’s defeat. Palmer did not respond publicly, and the issue faded quickly. [3] • Club World Cup Touchline Tension (July 2025) In the Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense, Palmer expressed visible frustration at teammate Nicolás Jackson by kicking the goalpost after Jackson declined to pass to him in a scoring position. The incident was captured on camera, though Chelsea secured a place in the final. [4] |
| Social Media | — Instagram — TikTok |
Relationship & More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Connie Grace (influencer and nail technician) Dating period: Since November 2024  |
Family | |
| Parents | Father – Jermaine Palmer (dental engineer, former Sunday league footballer) Mother – Marie Palmer (dyslexia assessor)  |
| Siblings | Two half-sisters (Lucy and Ashley, from mother’s first marriage) One biological sister (Hallie Jennifer Palmer, born December 2000, entrepreneur and fashion designer) |
| Grandfather | Sterry Cole (emigrated from St Kitts and Nevis in the 1960s, Windrush generation) |
Favorites | |
| Food | Chippy chips (as revealed in a viral clip, leading to his nickname “Chippy Man”) |
| Drink | Water |
| Music | Rap and hip-hop; enjoys artists like Drake and UK rap |
| Footballer | Zinedine Zidane |
| Team | Manchester United |
| Fashion Brand | Enjoys streetwear and high-end fashion; associated with Burberry and boohooMAN |
| Video Game | FIFA |
Financial Status | |
| Salary (weekly) | £130,000 at Chelsea FC |
| Salary (approx.) | 6.76 million GBP per annum at Chelsea |
| Net Worth | Estimated £12 million (as of 2025) |
| Market Value | €120 million per transfermarkt |
What You Never Knew About Cole Palmer
▪ At age 16, Palmer faced doubts about his slight physique, with some Manchester City academy coaches recommending his release. Academy director Jason Wilcox overruled this, believing in his potential, a decision that proved pivotal for his rise to stardom. This early setback highlights his resilience.
▪ Though born in Manchester, Cole proudly honors his heritage by displaying the flags of England and Saint Kitts & Nevis on his boots—a tribute to his Afro-Kittitian grandfather who emigrated from the Caribbean in 1960.
▪ Despite rising through Manchester City’s academy, Palmer supported Manchester United as a child and idolized Wayne Rooney, trying to replicate his finishes in the school playground.
▪ His now-famous “shiver” celebration—where he rubs his arms as if cold—was inspired by Morgan Rogers, a former academy teammate. Palmer adopted it as a lighthearted nod to his roots and persona.
▪ Palmer became the first Englishman to score in a major tournament final on foreign soil, netting in the UEFA Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
▪ His great-uncle, St. Clair Palmer, was part of the 1970s soul group Sweet Sensation, whose hit “Sad Sweet Dreamer” topped charts in 1974. Palmer only knew about this after the fact—and joked about not knowing which uncle it was.
About the Author
Samuel Ibiok is a passionate football journalist and digital publisher with a sharp eye for storytelling. From detailed player biographies to breaking transfer news and hilarious football memes, I bring each post to life with energy and authenticity. My work blends accuracy with creativity, all driven by a deep love for the beautiful game. Read full bio »
