COLE PALMER tried to keep a low profile when watching Chelsea’s Under-19s in a big Uefa Youth League win over Benfica on Tuesday.
The England international had already been ruled out of the senior squad’s match later that night with injury and took his time to support the next generation of stars at Cobham.
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Palmer was caught standing pitchside by the corner flag at Chelsea‘s training ground and didn’t look keen to be noticed.
Wearing all black, Palmer had his hood up and didn’t appear to make much of his appearance as he attempted to go under the radar.
The 23-year-old was later seen at Stamford Bridge alongside his fellow injured team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo as Enzo Maresca and Co prepared to take on Jose Mourinho in the main attraction.
He rocked up in a puffer tracksuit with his hood still over his head before the game and took a seat in the director’s box.
Palmer was able to witness a standout performance from the young Blues first as the U19s ran out 5-2 winners in their second group stage game.
A hat-trick from 17-year-old starlet Shumaira Mheuka put Chelsea on their way with Kobe Barbour, also 17, and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, 16, also on the scoresheet.
It was Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, only 15, who Palmer was drawn to message online afterwards.
The midfielder became Chelsea’s youngest ever starter in the prestigious competition and posted an image of himself on Instagram afterwards.
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Palmer replied: “Ballaaaaa”.
Marc Cucurella also went to Instagram to congratulate Mheuka for earning the match ball.
Mheuka wrote: “I’m violating ! 3 goals and 1 assist vs Benfica in uyl ! [blue heart emoji]”.
Cucurella responded: “Good job [waving hand emoji]”.
Both Mheuka and Nicoll-Jazuli are playing for England at age-group level and are playing above their years.
Mheuka made a handful of games for Maresca’s first team last season and has started this term on fire with a second hat-trick already.
The U19s also won their first group clash away at Bayern Munich two weeks earlier, unlike their senior colleagues.
Palmer will be out for around three weeks due to a groin problem he has been struggling with since the summer.
