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

Cole Palmer was joined by influencer girlfriend Connie Grace on the red carpet at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London.

The couple offered a public display of their relationship at Kensington Roof Gardens on a night that saw Palmer link up with the likes of Olympic legend Usain Bolt. The 22-year-old Chelsea star was also joined by family, with parents Jermaine and Janet at the awards evening.

Palmer was commemorated alongside Kobbie Mainoo, among a list of honourees that included Kit Harington, Central Cee, Steve McQueen and Adam Peaty. The MOTY is described as an 'opportunity to celebrate those who are breaking the rules, changing the game, and taking their slice of the culture to another level'.

Dressed in a suit in bowtie, Palmer posed for photographs with Grace, who he is reported to have been in relationship with for three months. Also from Manchester, Grace boasts more than 16,000 Instagram followers and is said to be a nail technician.

Palmer enjoyed a meteoric rise after joining Chelsea in September 2023. The Manchester City academy product hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge to be named PFA Young Player of the Year after finishing second in each of the goal and assist charts in the Premier League.

Speaking in an interview with GQ, Palmer admitted while he was persuaded to join Chelsea, he was frustrated at the Etihad Stadium. "I just knew I wasn’t going to play as much as I wanted to," he said.

"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."

Image: Dave Benett) Dave Benett) Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage) Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media) Crystal Pix/MB Media)

England teammate Mainoo had a simple assessment of his teammate. "It’s been crazy in his first full season for the club – to be up there in goals and assists and goal involvements," he said. "It’s massive."

Palmer will return to Premier League action with Chelsea this weekend when the Blues make the trip to Leicester City. Blues boss Enzo Maresca will head to the King Power Stadium for the first time since departing in the summer and hope he has Palmer at his disposal.

The goalscoring star pulled out of England's Nations League matches with Greece and Ireland, in addition to fellow Chelsea star Levi Colwill. Noni Madueke remained part of the group for England's wins and was also in attendance for the MOTY awards.

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