Chelsea
How ‘Cold Palmer’ Became a Trademark and a Global Moment
Cole Palmer has trademarked ‘Cold Palmer’, turning a shivering celebration into a global brand. 2025
Cole Palmer has legally registered the nickname ‘Cold Palmer’ after his application was accepted by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office. The trademark, valid until 2034, prevents other athletes from using the specific term for commercial purposes without permission and gives Palmer the right to license a wide assortment of goods, from toys and food snacks to drones and bath salts, per The Athletic.
The move follows the formalisation of the celebration that accompanies the nickname: Palmer crosses and rubs his arms as if shivering. That process is already underway, and the gesture now sits at the centre of a growing cultural phenomenon.
The celebration’s origins were public in late 2023. On Dec. 30, 2023, Palmer scored a brace in Chelsea’s visit to Luton Town, the second goal widely regarded as the best of his career to date. After both strikes he performed the now-familiar shiver. Two players were central to how the moment was named. Noni Madueke intervened during a postmatch interview and said, “That’s why they call him Cold Palmer innit,” Madueke told TNT Sports. Palmer then credited a former academy teammate for the inspiration. “My boy did one of Middlesbrough, Morgs [Rogers]. So, yeah, I told him I’ll do it,” Palmer said.
Morgan Rogers first used the gesture a week earlier when he scored the match-winner for Middlesbrough against West Bromwich Albion. Rogers has continued to use it since his move to Aston Villa, but the celebration has become closely associated with Palmer.
Palmer’s form has amplified the image. He scored 27 goals for Chelsea across all competitions in 2023–24, celebrated on the international stage by scoring England’s equaliser against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, and added another 18 goals for Chelsea in 2024–25, including a brace against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. Those moments helped turn the celebration into a recognisable emblem.
The gesture’s reach now extends beyond club football. After visiting St. Kitts and Nevis, where his grandfather was born, Palmer was greeted by the country’s Prime Minister and large numbers of children. His cultural profile has been boosted further by moments such as Drake acknowledging a clip after Palmer joked he would be called ‘Iceman’, and by athletes across sports replicating the shiver—from PSG’s Désiré Doué to NBA, NFL and MLB figures—making ‘Cold Palmer’ a cross-sport cultural moment.
Chelsea
Joao Pedro explains why he stayed with Chelsea despite Arsenal and Barcelona interest
João Pedro has explained why he ignored Arsenal and Barcelona to commit his future to Chelsea.
João Pedro has set out why he committed his future to Chelsea, despite strong summer interest from Arsenal and Barcelona. The forward said his decision was driven by belief in the club’s direction, even with rival options offering immediate appeal.
In a market short of proven centre forwards, Pedro became a target for several elite sides. Arsenal and Barcelona were both linked with the 24-year-old, viewed by each as an alternative to Julián Alvarez, who was not expected to leave Atlético Madrid. On paper, the chances elsewhere looked attractive, especially with Chelsea heading into a season without European football.
Pedro chose otherwise and signed a new contract that keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2034. Reflecting on the decision on LinkedIn, he explained the thinking behind it in detail.
“For me, making a decision like this comes down to more than what is happening in the moment,” Pedro would explain on LinkedIn after letting his decision settle. “It’s about looking at where you are, what you still want to achieve and whether the environment around you is helping you get there.
“I think there is a lot to consider when deciding whether to stay or take on something new Progress doesn’t always mean choosing something different. Sometimes it’s recognizing when you’re surrounded by the right people, still learning, still being challenged and still excited by what you’re building together.
“I believe in where this club is going, I believe in the people around me and I want to be part of what comes next. That’s why I’m so proud to have committed my future to Chelsea and to continue this journey with the club.”
The early signs suggest Chelsea have preserved a major asset. Pedro has already delivered a league-high six direct goal contributions in four appearances, with three goals and three assists.
His absence was felt before the international break, when Chelsea were held in check by Brentford without their No. 9. Beyond the numbers, Pedro has given the team a clear focal point, and the comparisons with Karim Benzema reflect the balance and influence he brings to the side.
Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho’s career path has turned into a struggle for minutes
Garnacho’s rise has given way to frustration, with Chelsea and Aston Villa both offering little respite.
The international break is usually a chance for players to step away from club football. For Alejandro Garnacho, that luxury does not really exist.
There was a time when the winger looked destined for much bigger things. Signed by Manchester United as a highly rated teenager, he made his senior debut at 17 in April 2022 and had already become one of the side’s most effective players by the 2023-24 season. That campaign ended with him finishing sixth in the Kopa Trophy voting, a sign that his rise had gathered real momentum.
What followed was far less predictable.
In December 2024, Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were omitted from a matchday squad for the derby against Manchester City after manager Ruben Amorim said he was unhappy with their training performances. Garnacho returned quickly and was praised for the way he responded, while Rashford never played under Amorim again. But his situation soon worsened as he found it difficult to fit into Amorim’s winger-less system.
The relationship reached its breaking point after the 2025 Europa League final, when Garnacho questioned why he had not started. Amorim then told him to find a new club, and Chelsea moved in. They had considered a January 2025 approach before paying $54 million (£40 million) six months later.
However, the move did not develop as hoped. Chelsea’s recruitment team drove the deal and Enzo Maresca had not spoken with Garnacho before his arrival, which went some way to explaining his limited starts. He was not criticised for attitude or work rate, but his end product was modest, with eight goals in all competitions and only one in the Premier League.
Chelsea then accepted that offers could be entertained after one season, leading Garnacho to Aston Villa on loan with an obligation to buy under certain conditions. Even there, the search for rhythm has stalled. Unai Emery has given him just 31 minutes this season, with his latest appearance coming on Sept. 5. He was an unused substitute against Coventry City in the Carabao Cup and remained on the bench for the win over Tottenham Hotspur.
“Work, work, train, work,” Emery said, while also noting that other players are “giving us things I want.” For Garnacho, the message is clear.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s New Signings Under Alonso: Early Returns Across the Squad
Chelsea’s summer arrivals have produced mixed returns under Xabi Alonso after five Premier League matches.
Xabi Alonso has now taken charge of Chelsea for five Premier League matches, and the first impression has been one of mixed outcomes rather than clear progress. Some of the club’s summer arrivals have barely featured, while others have had enough minutes to show both promise and the limits of what they can offer at this stage.
At the bottom of the list are Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra, both still waiting for their Chelsea debuts after injuries and delayed returns disrupted their starts. Emegha’s early summer work in behind-closed-doors friendlies was cut short, while Palestra, signed for $62 million (£47 million), remains sidelined despite Alonso repeatedly suggesting he would be back soon. For Geovany Quenda, the picture is not much brighter. The 19-year-old has managed only 27 minutes since arriving from Sporting CP, and his path into the side remains blocked across several roles.
Jordan Henderson finally made his first appearance in the fifth game of the season, starting in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford. The veteran’s leadership has been evident, but his real value will be judged by what he produces on the pitch. Valentín Barco, meanwhile, has been used sparingly but has looked steady enough in limited outings, mainly in the Carabao Cup, even if Alonso has preferred other options in midfield.
Emiliano Martínez has brought experience to the goalkeeping role, but he has not dramatically changed Chelsea’s defensive issues. There is still concern after 10 goals were conceded in four games. Maxence Lacroix has been more prominent, and early performances against Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion suggested he could be a key figure, though recent mixed displays have placed him under renewed pressure.
Pep Chavarría has perhaps offered the most encouraging value. Used mainly from the bench, he has settled well and exceeded modest expectations, even if questions remain at both ends of the pitch.
