Cole Palmer is one of most unique ballers in the game right now. In a sport that’s seemingly shown us everything, that feels slightly odd to say.

But the 22-year-old’s recent rise to stardom has been fascinating to watch unfold. Not because of the ease with which he dominates games. Not because of how quickly he’s become one of the best players in the Premier League. But because of how he’s subverting the narrative of how footballers carry themselves.

There’s been a noticeable shift in perception towards Palmer over the last few weeks. More people are holding him up as a national treasure because of his refreshing authenticity.

At a time when footballers feel obliged to carefully script every word and facial expression when in front of a camera, Palmer is a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t try to be anything but himself. While that may sound really simple, football has shown us that it’s anything but. We’ve seen countless young players get called out for the most trivial off-pitch decisions, so it’s hard to blame them for being overly cautious. 

While Palmer’s had his share of negativity, it hasn’t forced him to put his guard up in the same way. In fact, he’s actually stayed the same from the academy to the first-team. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca used to work with the midfielder during his time with Manchester City’s under-23s and remarked “the way he is today, he was three or four years ago. So goals, assists, best of the Premier League — this doesn’t change who he is.”

Newfound fame would change a lot of us – especially if we were Palmer’s age and had thrust ourselves into the limelight as forcefully as he did. But in the face of all the noise surrounding his personality and form, Palmer remains unapologetically himself. 

As part of Burberry’s recent campaign for its outerwear collection, the Chelsea midfielder was filmed fishing for nine minutes and 34 seconds. No awkward small talk, no theatrics, no frills. But still authentically Palmer. Burberry also shot a video where he was asked to make a cup of tea. Most players would overthink something so simple. But Palmer took one of the most ordinary tasks and still managed to endear himself to the public.

He’s carrying himself with the same nonchalance that infamously saw him “send R9 to the gulag” while playing Call of Duty, and the self-confidence that had him vibing to Vybz Kartel in the earliest days of his pro career. It’s fitting that only this month, Vybz himself namechecked Palmer in his new song ‘M.O.T.M’. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

While his effortless charm has made him more commercially viable, it’s his impact on the everyday person that resonates most. He serves as a reminder that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. Whether he’s working with a luxury British fashion house or flicking it up with rapper Central Cee, he never looks uncomfortable being genuine. Even outside of the exhausting watchful eye of football, this is a skill adults twice Palmer’s age struggle to grasp as well as he has.

It would’ve been very easy for Palmer to follow the trend of growing more aloof as more eyes watch his every move. But the beautiful irony is that Cold Palmer’s personality has a warmth that most footballers find so difficult to express.

Whatever he goes on to achieve in his career, no-one can take that away from him.

@AhmedShooble