Here’s your paraphrased version, expanded to maintain all the key details while keeping it over 400 words:
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**LONDON, August 8, 2025** – Drama unfolded under the lights at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s usually unflappable star, Cole Palmer, found himself at the center of a rare and fiery confrontation during a preseason clash with Bayer Leverkusen in the VisitMalta Weekender tournament. Known for his calm demeanor both on and off the pitch, the 23-year-old England international shocked fans, teammates, and even manager Enzo Maresca when he lost his composure in the 67th minute of a tightly contested 1-1 draw.
The incident was sparked by a heavy challenge from Leverkusen defender Jarrell Quansah, who lunged in late and caught Palmer near the touchline. The tackle, which one user on X described as “ankle-snapping,” clearly struck a nerve. Palmer, who had been dictating Chelsea’s attacking play with his trademark skill and vision, immediately jumped to his feet and confronted Quansah face-to-face. Harsh words quickly turned into shoves, and within seconds, players from both sides swarmed in. Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo and Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié attempted to cool tempers, but the Stamford Bridge crowd was already buzzing—some applauding Palmer’s passion, others visibly taken aback by the uncharacteristic outburst.
Referee Sarah Thompson stepped in, issuing yellow cards to both Palmer and Quansah. Yet, the tension didn’t end there. As Palmer turned to walk away, he appeared to make a pointed gesture toward Leverkusen’s bench. This set off their assistant coach, who charged toward the fourth official in protest. The heated exchange caused a delay of nearly three minutes before play resumed, with Maresca seen speaking calmly to Palmer on the touchline.
After the match, Maresca downplayed the drama, telling reporters, *“Cole’s human. He’s passionate, and he cares. It’s a friendly, but these moments happen. He’s fine now.”* Still, social media was ablaze. One fan wrote, *“Palmer losing it? Never thought I’d see the day. Ice-cold Cole turned volcano!”*
The flash of temper comes at a turbulent time for Palmer in 2025. While he has shone in big moments—claiming man-of-the-match awards in both the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup finals—his domestic form has dipped. He is currently enduring a 17-game Premier League goal drought, a stark contrast to the explosive 27-goal debut season he enjoyed in 2023/24. The weight of leading Chelsea’s attack, alongside persistent transfer rumors linking him to Liverpool, may be piling on the pressure.
Despite the fiery moment, Palmer still made his mark earlier in the game, setting up Estêvão Willian’s stunning goal with a precise assist. According to Opta, he has averaged 2.1 key passes per game this preseason, a reminder of the creativity and quality that made him one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars—temper or no temper.
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If you’d like, I can also make you a **more punchy, news-style version** perfect for YouTube or social media. That would be shorter but still engaging.
