Playing under Pep Guardiola and now under Mauricio Pochettino isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially when you’re just 21 years old. However, Cole Palmer has defied the odds and proven why he is so special.
Rising through the ranks at Manchester City, Cole Palmer made a significant impact at an early stage, capturing everyone’s attention. After scoring 2 goals and providing two assists in 41 appearances for the City, Palmer was transferred to Chelsea for £42.5 million in 2023.
Under the Stamford Bridge roofs, Cole Palmer has truly found his stride. He scored 8 goals and provided 7 assists in just 21 games.
Not only is he a nightmare for defenders on the flanks with his speed, but what sets him apart from the crowd is his unmatched composure on the ball and his keen eye for the back of the net.
But this was not just an outcome of one day or merely god-given talent. What we see today is the result of his perseverance and hardships since his childhood days, coupled with his parents’ sacrifices.
Cole Jermaine Palmer was born on 6th May, 2002, in the suburban town of Wythenshawe, Manchester, UK. Cole Palmer is the second son among three siblings, born in a rather comfortable family. But growing up, he has had his own set of interest.
His brother, Nathan Palmer, has had a noteworthy academic career and settled in Australia. Meanwhile, his sister, Hallie Palmer, is studying for a fashion degree and has already established her own brand creating oversized hair ribbons and scrunchies for women.
Cole, on the contrary, was always inclined towards the football world. His involvement with football began at a very early age when he started playing with his father in the local parks.
Growing up, Cole was deemed very quiet and introverted. Only his parents and siblings were able to understand his persona. Yet, his talent on the pitch shouted loud. Kudos to his father for recognizing it at an early stage, or else we might not have seen him on the grand stage.
His father, Jermaine Palmer, who fixes dental equipment for a living, was a former footballer himself. He mentored the young Cole by taking him to the park. Cole and his dad spent days and nights in local parks practicing football.
It was Jermaine who understood Cole’s football passion and has been instrumental in his career. Cole Palmer has always credited his father for his success.
In a video interview, Cole revealed, “If I didn’t have my dad, I probably wouldn’t be a footballer.”
“He did numerous hours with me every night, working with me to try and make me a professional footballer. And yeah I am trying to repay him as much as I can.”
His father’s work ethic and his desire to see Cole’s success was what fueled the motivation. Cole Palmer also recalls his training days and reveals how closely he used to work with his father to improve his technique and how much his father had to sacrifice for the same.
“He’d make him stand there and just shoot at him and stuff like that. I just I had to learn to protect the ball”
“We would do that every single day whatever the weather – and my dad’s family is from St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. He hates going out in the cold. But he’d do it for me anyway”, revealed Cole.
When his father was busy with work, it was his mother’s turn.
His mother, Janet Palmer, especially made sacrifices by relocating whenever football called and providing significant support throughout his childhood. Besides offering substantial career support, both she and her husband ensured their little boy remained well-grounded.
Now, Cole’s success is the result of all those hardships at that time. His grandfather, Sterry Cole, spoke to MailOnline to express how the entire family exude pride in his grandson’s career success.
“We are all tremendously proud of him. He’s worked so hard to be where he is and deserves all the success he’s getting. He’s been with City since he was about eight years old, and he’s been involved with England since he was about 15.”
“Ever since he was knee-high, he’s been mad keen on football and he’d run rings around the other kids. We knew he was special even back then.”
“But he’s worked hard, trained hard and just kept at it. But what you’ve seen from him now, just watch…there’s more to come!” Warned his grandfather after being picked by Gareth Southgate for England duties.
While Cole Palmer has chosen to represent the England team at the national level, his family background reflects a dual ethnic heritage.
Cole’s physical appearance aligns more with that of a White British person, which can be attributed to his mother’s white ethnicity. On the other hand, Cole Palmer is of Kittitian descent through his father’s side, identifying as the African lineage.
In his early days, Cole excelled in academics as well. Reports suggest that Palmer was privately educated at St. Bede’s College in Manchester.
However, it was the idea of attending a football school that tempted him more. As a result, he enrolled himself in a local club in his family’s Manchester hometown of Wythenshawe.
It was his then NJ Wythenshawe coach, Graeme Fowler, who recalled how Cole had a highly matured footballing brain from that young age. Despite being younger, it was surprising how he used to dribble past all the kids. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he revealed.
“I walked in the field and saw this little blonde kid who was only dead small and just running with the ball. At that age, the kids just chase the ball and he had 10 kids chasing him.”
“At that age, Cole Palmer ran with the ball and he had about ten kids chasing him. As he ran with it and did a simple turn to go the other of the field, the kids who chased him follow. They couldn’t get the ball off palmer.”. Added his youth coach.
Thanks to the youngster’s footballing talent, news of his gameplay reached the ears of the biggest clubs in Manchester. Cole Palmer garnered interest from the academies of both Manchester City and United.
Both clubs vied for the signature of the 8-year-old starlet. However, it was his dad who was convinced that the standard of Manchester City’s academy facilities was far better than that of United. This factor convinced his parents to enroll their son in Manchester City’s Under-8 level, thus starting a new chapter in his life.
The youngster continued to dominate his age group even as he joined the best football academy in the city of Manchester.
Cole Palmer, at eight, kept doing stuff that his coaches that was simply unimaginable. The rising star of Manchester City academy progressed through the age groups and went all the way to captain his Under-18s in the 2019/20 season. Cole Palmer also played a pivotal role in leading his side to both League and Cup glory.
It was Kevin Betsy, the then England Under-15s coach, who perfectly described the midfielder. Recollecting Palmer’s performance when he starred for City in an Under-14s tournament at Warwick University, he describe Cole as “one of the smallest players on the pitch.”
“He was really good technically, tactically, in his decision-making. He wasn’t blessed with speed or strength or power, but he was able to influence a game. Over the course of games you noticed the way he played, with a lot of creativity and flair.” as revealed by Kevin and quoted by iNewz.
Palmer won player of the tournament and was later invited to join the England youth teams at Under-15.
There was no way Pep Guardiola could have overlooked his performance, and Cole Palmer deservedly got his first-team call-up in 2020. On 30th September, Palmer saw his dream come true as he debuted with Manchester City in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, which ended in a 3–0 away win over Burnley and he never had to look back.
The midfielder instantly got the crowd buzzing with all positive reactions, thus starting a promising chapter in his career.
Even Pep Guardiola was delighted with his promising midfielder and later describing his special talent, quoted, “Cole has a special quality in front of the box, a talent that is difficult to find.”
“When he has the ball there, most of the time it ends up in the net. It’s difficult to find that.”
Three years later, Palmer decided to add another feature to his cap, and this time it was Chelsea.
Just a couple on months in and Palmer has already showcased his prowess and has already registered impressive stats under Pochettino. He has a long way to go in his career, and there’s no two ways about it. But as Pep Guardiola had advised him, he just needs to “be calm and patient”.
