Cole Palmer and new girlfriend party with Usain Bolt ahead of Chelsea return

Cole Palmer, the Chelsea sensation, and his influencer girlfriend Connie Grace made their relationship red carpet official at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. Rubbing shoulders with superstars including sprinter Usain Bolt, the 22-year-old footballer was accompanied by his proud parents Jermaine and Janet at Kensington Roof Gardens on a glamorous night.

Palmer, adorned in a slick suit and bowtie alongside his beau Grace - who reports suggest he has been dating for three months - stood out amongst the distinguished crowd, which included heavyweights such as Kobbie Mainoo, Kit Harington, Central Cee, Steve McQueen, and Adam Peaty. The MOTY is lauded as an occasion to honour game-changers and cultural innovators who are forging new paths.

Grace, hailing from Manchester like Palmer, and gaining notable attention with over 16,000 Instagram devotees, is understood to be a nail technician by trade. Having made the leap to Chelsea only in September 2023, Palmer's star has been on a precipitous ascent, earning the PFA Young Player of the Year title after his impressive debut season where he bagged second place in both goals and assists in the Premier League tally.

In a candid chat with GQ, Palmer shared his Chelsea move motivations, stemming from frustration over limited playtime at former club Manchester City: "I just knew I wasn't going to play as much as I wanted to," he confessed.

The Blues' young talent, Palmer, is set to light up the Premier League with Chelsea once again this weekend at Leicester City. Reflecting on his progress, he shared: "Even when I was going to England [camps] with younger age groups, you had players there who were playing in the league every week. And you're looking around thinking, I can play in the league.

His England teammate Mainoo didn't hold back on praise: "It's been crazy in his first full season for the club – to be up there in goals and assists and goal involvements," he lauded. "It's massive."

Meanwhile, Chelsea will be hoping that Palmer, who withdrew from recent international duty due to injury, alongside teammate Levi Colwill, will be ready to face the Foxes as manager Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium after his summer departure. In the meantime, Noni Madueke, another Chelsea man, stayed with the England squad through their Nations League victories and made an appearance at the MOTY awards.