Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has faced criticism online after a video appeared to show him walking past young supporters seeking photographs and autographs following the club’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth.
The 24-year-old was leaving Stamford Bridge with his girlfriend, Olivia Holder, when a group of young fans approached him, holding up their phones and calling out in an attempt to get his attention.
Palmer, who had his hood up and his hands in his pockets, continued walking without stopping to acknowledge them.
Footage of the encounter circulated on social media on Sunday, prompting criticism from supporters who questioned why the England international did not take a moment to interact with the children.
Chelsea Supporters Question Palmer’s Treatment of Young Fans
Several fans expressed disappointment over the midfielder’s apparent lack of response to the youngsters, with some arguing that a brief interaction would have meant a great deal to the children.
One supporter wrote that Palmer came across as arrogant for seemingly ignoring children who were calling his name, adding that showing young fans a little kindness would not have harmed him.
Another acknowledged the footballer’s desire for privacy but questioned why he could not stop to sign an autograph for a child who was asking for one.
A third supporter referred to Palmer’s reported £220,000 weekly wages, arguing that he could have spared a few minutes to make a young fan’s day.
Another fan challenged the argument that stopping for one supporter would require Palmer to attend to everyone in the crowd.
The supporter suggested that he could have signed a shirt for one or two children before politely explaining to the remaining fans that he did not have enough time.
Palmer Celebrates New Chelsea Contract Before Bournemouth Victory
The incident came on the same day Chelsea secured a 5-1 win over Bournemouth, with Palmer delivering an impressive performance and registering an assist.
The victory helped Chelsea climb to sixth place in the league standings, while the midfielder’s appearance followed the announcement of his new long-term contract with the club.
Earlier on Saturday, Palmer revealed the agreement through a mock Twitch livestream in which he answered a series of computer-generated questions presented as though they had come from supporters.
During the broadcast, he responded to a question about how long he intended to remain at Chelsea by revealing that he had signed a new contract approximately 20 minutes earlier.
Palmer then joked that he would be staying for around eight more years, encouraging supporters to continue singing a song associated with him.
New Deal Extends Palmer’s Commitment to Chelsea Until 2034
The attacking midfielder had seven years remaining on his previous agreement before accepting improved terms that extended his commitment to Chelsea until 2034.
Explaining his decision to sign the deal, Palmer said the club meant a great deal to him and that discussions with its ownership, sporting directors and manager had given him confidence in its direction.
He also highlighted conversations with his teammates, saying they shared ambitions to compete for major honours.
Palmer said he believed Chelsea could win major trophies consistently and expressed his desire to play an important role in achieving those ambitions.
Mock Livestream Follows Palmer’s Twitch Suspension
The contract announcement also came weeks after Palmer was temporarily suspended from Twitch for playing EA Sports FC 27 before the game’s official release.
The midfielder subsequently appealed for the platform to lift the suspension.
His latest mock livestream offered a different approach to announcing his contract extension, allowing him to reveal the news through a simulated question-and-answer session before Chelsea issued its official announcement.
