In a significant turn of events within the realm of professional football, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike with his ambition to trademark his distinctive goal celebration. The 22-year-old English talent has delighted supporters with his unique 'shivering' celebration, a gesture he has been performing since December 2023. This memorable act, inspired by former Manchester City youth teammate Morgan Rogers, involves Palmer rubbing his hands over his arms and has led to the playful moniker of "Cold Palmer."
Palmer has taken commendable steps towards commercialising his celebration, having filed an application with the UK's Intellectual Property Office. Documents reviewed by *The Mirror* reveal that the Chelsea star intends to leverage this celebration across a variety of products, encompassing food and beverages, clothing, toys, cosmetics, and even vehicles. This initiative is indicative of a broader trend among professional athletes eager to capitalise on their personal brands.
Intriguingly, the trademark application includes a video of Palmer's celebration, which gained substantial media attention during the recent European Championship final when he netted an equaliser against Spain in Berlin. Following the goal, Palmer embraced the 'Cold Palmer' persona by crossing his arms and placing his hands on his triceps, thrusting his celebration into the spotlight.
The genesis of this iconic celebration can be traced back to Palmer's memorable performance during Chelsea's thrilling 3-2 victory over Luton Town last December. Notably, the celebration was originally conceived by Rogers during his time at Middlesbrough, before he transferred to Aston Villa.
Palmer's pursuit of a trademark appears to be part of an emerging trend, as several footballers have taken similar steps to protect their unique celebrations. Former Tottenham and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, for instance, trademarked his heart celebration and associated kit number under the brand 'Eleven of Hearts'. Likewise, stars like Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Rashford have secured trademarks for their own goal celebrations, marking a significant evolution in the world of sports branding.
This season, Palmer's performances have been nothing short of impressive, as he has already scored 11 goals in the Premier League. Following a standout display in Chelsea's recent 4-2 defeat of Tottenham, where he converted two penalties, fans can expect to see more of the 'Cold Palmer' celebration. His current streak of 12 consecutive successful penalties now surpasses the previous record held by Manchester City legend Yaya Touré.
Commenting on Palmer's burgeoning talent, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed admiration for the young midfielder's capabilities, sharing that he has yet to witness Palmer practising penalty kicks. “I haven't seen Cole shooting penalties since we started,” Maresca remarked, acknowledging the player's extraordinary skillset. “Cole belongs to that kind of players that are not normal players. They are top players. We expect this from Cole,” he stated, encapsulating the essence of the rising star in English football.
As Palmer continues to thrive in the Premier League and explore new avenues for personal branding, both fans and analysts will keenly observe how his trademark ambitions evolve in the coming months.