| Date of Birth | 6 May 2002 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth | Wythenshawe, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | England |
| Height | 185 cm |
| Weight | 77 kg |
Biography
Cole Jermaine Palmer is an English footballer, an attacking midfielder and winger for London’s Chelsea and the England national team. He is considered one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation.
Early Years
Palmer grew up in Manchester in a family of a dental technician and a dyslexia assessment specialist. His father played amateur football for many years, which greatly influenced Cole.
Although he supported Manchester United, in 2010 Palmer joined the Manchester City academy and progressed through every level of the youth system.
During his teenage years, coaches doubted whether he would cope with the physical demands of professional football, but academy director Jason Wilcox insisted on keeping the player.
Manchester City (2020–2023)
Main Achievements
Made his first-team debut in 2020.
Scored his first European goal in the Champions League against Club Brugge.
Was part of the squad that won the treble in the 2022/23 season (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League).
However, Palmer did not have a consistent starting place and in September 2023 he transferred to Chelsea for £40 million.
Chelsea (since 2023) — Breakout Rise
2023/24 Season
27 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
22 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League.
Premier League Young Player of the Season.
PFA Fans’ Player of the Year.
He became the first player in Chelsea’s history to win both the Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards simultaneously.
2024/25 Season
UEFA Conference League winner.
FIFA Club World Cup winner.
Man of the Match in the finals of both tournaments.
Winner of the Golden Ball at the Club World Cup.
England National Team
Made his senior national team debut in 2023.
UEFA European Under-21 Champion (2023).
Participant of Euro 2024.
Scored a goal in the Euro final against Spain.
By 2026, Palmer had become one of the key players of the national team.
Personal Life
Background and Family
Cole Palmer grew up in Wythenshawe, a working-class area of Manchester. He has Afro-Kittitian heritage on his father’s side: his great-grandfather and great-grandmother were part of the Windrush generation and moved to the United Kingdom in 1955. In honor of his heritage, Palmer wears boots featuring the flags of England and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Character and Public Image
Palmer is known for being private — he rarely shares details about his personal life. His main support remains his family, especially his father, who influenced his football journey.
His famous “cold hands” celebration (crossed arms with a shoulder movement) is linked to the nickname Cold Palmer, emphasizing his composure. The player himself explained that the idea for the celebration was suggested by his former Manchester City teammate Morgan Rogers.
Interesting Facts
- Became the most composed penalty taker in Premier League history: Palmer converted 12 penalties in a row, setting a league record for goals without a single miss.
- The first player in Premier League history to score four goals in one half: in a match against Brighton, he scored four times in the first half.
- Record for hat-tricks in one half: in 2026 he became the first player in league history to score three different hat-tricks in first halves of matches.
- Loves playing in finals: Palmer has scored and been named Man of the Match in European and international tournament finals.
- EA Sports cover star: he became the face of EA Sports FC 25 and later FC 26.
- Nine-year contract: in 2024 he signed a contract with Chelsea until 2033 — one of the longest contracts among top-level players.
- His nickname became a brand: “Cold Palmer” is not just a fan joke but part of his public image.
- A “big match” player: scored in the Euro final, the Club World Cup final and a European final for Chelsea.
