Cole Palmer caused an internet storm on Saturday afternoon when he was filmed away from Stamford Bridge.
The bizarre video, taken after he was seen in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Everton, led to a wave of speculation of fans: where on earth was Palmer, and why was he in such a hurry?
Palmer was seen that went away in a black hoodie and shorts, equipped with two mobile phones (one on his ear), with a guard in tow that confused fans.
The 22-year-old slalomed his way through supporters to Fulham Road, with several supporters who tried to keep track of him.
It was again a difficult afternoon for Palmer, whose goal drought extended to 17 games, while Nicolas Jackson took his first of the year, but viewers who stumbled the clip online were more obsessed with his off-field antics.
“Someone just called to tell him that there is a penalty nearby,” a fan speculated on X.
“Bro heard that chippy chips were for sale two,” said another.
“Cole Palmer ran for his Uber -et,” another joked.
“Palmer looks like he was just hunted beyond the security in Parklife,” one joked.
'Lmao! The team bus left him behind. The man had to call the driver to wait for him at the next intersection, “speculated one, although that theory is easily rejected because Chelsea played at home.
“When Uber driver says that Road is closed and he leaves in 2 minutes,” guessed.
Unfortunately, some comments wore an atmosphere of bitterness.
“Run faster than he was in the game today, he missed all the game, much better under (Mauricio) Poch (Ettino),” said one.
“Hopefully jog to Saudi,” wrote another.
Wherever he went, Palmer was in a hurry.
For the first time in his career, after a stunning first season in Chelsea, Palmer was examined after a dry patch for the goal.
He has still been a consistent presence in the Chelsea side and has contributed in other ways, including assists, such as Enzo Maresca's side pursues a place in Champions League.
Manager Maresca has insisted that Palmer's scoring malaise is a result of 'mental' factors instead of something 'technical' or 'tactical'.
“It's certainly mentally,” he said Friday. 'I don't think it's tactical, I don't think it's technical, because Cole is still the same player who scored with us this season – 14 goals in the Premier League in 20 games. Cole is the same.
'The style of football we play is the same. The manager is the same. The club is the same. So nothing changes around Cole and Cole does not change. It's just mentally at the moment.
'We always try to set up our game to place our best player in a condition to be dangerous. We have done it since we started. We do that every game.
'If you go back with the game per game, he had at least every game one or two chances. It's not about how the team plays. Again, it's the same. If you want to see it as the team that plays in a different way, you've seen it that way, but the reality is not that.
'The reality is that Cole is the same, the playing style is the same, the manager is the same, the club is the same. It's just football that he is missing the goal at the moment. No more than that. '
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