Chelsea rising star Cole Palmer has captivated football fans with his impressive skills on the pitch and his unique goal celebration known as the 'cold' celebration.
This article explores the origins and meaning behind this signature move and highlights some of Palmer's notable goals. It delves into what makes him one of the most exciting players in the Premier League currently.
Palmer's celebration meaning and origin
The term 'cold' is a slang that’s nowadays used to describe something or someone impressive, talented, great, really good, or incredible at what they do.
For Palmer, 'cold' is the name of his celebration that essentially embodies his calm and cool approach to the game of football.
The 'cold' celebration was first unveiled - by Palmer - during a match against Luton Town on December 30th, 2023, where he scored his first goal for Chelsea in a thrilling 3-2 victory.
The English player picked up a loose ball in the Luton penalty box and shot into the bottom corner to give the Blues an early lead. Palmer celebrated by running towards the fans rubbing his palms over his arms to mimic shivering.
Palmer did the 'cold' celebration once again in the same match after calmly rolling the ball past the Luton goalkeeper and sitting a defender down before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Palmer explained that the celebration is a nod to his former Manchester City academy teammate, Morgan Rogers, who initially performed a similar gesture while playing for Middlesbrough just a week prior.
"My boy Morgz (Rogers) did one for Middlesbrough, so I told him I’d do it too if I scored," Palmer said.
However, earlier this season Rogers conceded the ownership of the 'cold' celebration to Palmer after Aston Villa’s win over Bayern Munich.
"I’ll let him have it. He’s scored 40 goals or something stupid. Can’t really argue that, can I?" he told TNT Sports.
Palmer at the beginning of this season claimed ownership of the 'cold' celebration making it a personal trademark.
"It symbolises joy, passion, and hard determination for the game plus it’s funny as it works well with my name. Everyone knows it’s my celebration. Lots of people might have done it, but everybody knows it is my celebration," he told the Telegraph.
Palmer's iconic moments
Palmer's goal-scoring prowess has been on full display since joining Chelsea. Here are some notable moments where his 'cold' celebration stood out:
· Chip against Tottenham – Having already converted a penalty earlier in the derby, Palmer stepped up once again and perfectly executed the Panenka penalty which left Fraser Forster looking helpless.
The ice-cold finish was topped off with the 'cold' celebration as Chelsea beat Spurs 4-3 on December 8th, 2024.
· Historic performance against Brighton: In another remarkable display, Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half during a match against Brighton on September 28th, 2024.
His varied scoring methods—from penalties to free-kicks—showcased his versatility as a forward while each goal was celebrated with his now-iconic gesture.
· Palmer's 'cold' celebration updated against Aston Villa – Palmer scored a belter to wrap up a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on December 1st, 2024. His trademark celebration took a new turn as Palmer added a knee slide to the 'cold' celebration.
· Four goals against Everton: On April 15th, 2024, Palmer scored four goals in a single match against Everton, leading Chelsea to a resounding 6-0 victory.
Each goal was met with his signature 'cold' celebration, further solidifying its association with him.
These performances not only highlight Palmer's talent but also how his celebration has become a hallmark of his identity as a player.
Who has copied the 'cold' celebration?
Palmer’s consistency at Chelsea has significantly boosted the popularity of his 'cold' celebration with several athletes replicating it on the global stage.
· Ousmane Dembele: After scoring a delicate chip against Monaco, the French winger couldn’t resist the temptation and did the 'cold' celebration.
· Gleyber Torres: The New York Yankees player joined the trend by performing the 'cold' celebration after hitting a home run during the playoffs.
· Rashad Sweeting: A darts player recreated the 'cold' celebration after scoring a 180 during a match at the PDC World Championship, fulfilling a fan's request to mimic Palmer's move.
· Matteo Guendouzi: The Lazio midfielder, recently paid homage to Palmer by replicating his iconic 'cold' celebration after scoring the opening goal against Torino.
· Letsile Tebogo: The Olympic gold medallist from Botswana, paid tribute to Palmer by performing the 'cold' celebration before winning the men's 200-meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
· Justin Jefferson: A wide receiver in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings, combined his own 'griddy' celebration with Palmer's 'cold' gesture during a game.
· Estevao Willian: The highly rated Palmeiras wonderkid celebrated a goal against Juventude by mimicking Cole Palmer's iconic 'cold' celebration, marking a nod to his future teammate at Chelsea.
· Désiré Doué: Following his wining penalty in the shootout against Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16, Doué celebrated by mimicking Cole Palmer's signature "cold" celebration. The iconic celebration by the PSG forward was captured and admired all over social media.
Palmer set for stardom
At just 22 years old, Palmer has quickly established himself as one of Chelsea's key players. His journey from Manchester City's youth academy to becoming an integral part of Chelsea's squad has been marked by impressive achievements.
He concluded the 2023-24 season as Chelsea's top scorer, netting 27 goals in 48 appearances which saw him win the Hublot Young of the Season award.
As the new season unfolds, Palmer has maintained his impressive form, scoring 14 goals in 24 matches.
In addition to being named England Men's Player of the Year and winning multiple monthly awards in the Premier League, Palmer's humble demeanour and work ethic have garnered praise from the football world.
His head coach at Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, noted that despite his rapid rise to fame, Palmer remains grounded and focused on continuous improvement. This combination of talent and humility makes him not only a player to watch but also an inspiring figure for aspiring footballers.
As Palmer continues to shine on the pitch, his unique 'cold' celebration will undoubtedly be remembered as part of his journey in professional football.