FootyChatter.com

By SAM BROOKES Published: 11: 49 AEDT, 20 November 2024 | Updated: 12: 37 AEDT, 20 November 2024 10 View comments Cole Palmer swapped the football pitch for the red carpet - and had his girlfriend for company - at the GQ Men of the Year Awards on Tuesday night. Palmer was suited and booted for the swanky event at Kensington Roof Gardens in London, as he posed for photos with influencer Connie Grace. Palmer and Grace, who is a fellow Mancunian, have reportedly been dating for around three months, but made their first public appearance together on Tuesday. The Chelsea star opted for a black suit and bowtie, with Grace matching him in a black dress that showed off her toned midriff. The footballer ensured it was not just all about himself and Grace, though, as he also had his mother Marie by his side in the capital. The pair posed for pictures in a proud moment for Marie as her son stole the limelight after a breakthrough 12 months for club and country. Cole Palmer made his first public appearance with his influencer girlfriend Connie Grace (right) at the GQ Men of the Year Awards Palmer also posed for a photo with his mother Marie (left) at the swanky event in London Palmer's Chelsea team-mate Noni Madueke was also in attendance after starring for England over the past week Kobbie Mainoo wore a black jacket and trousers with a white T-shirt at Tuesday's event Palmer's team-mate Noni Madueke also attended the event, fresh off the back of shining for England against Greece and Republic of Ireland. Madueke seized his opportunity in the absence of Bukayo Saka, registering an assist in England's 3-0 win in Athens last Thursday. He had a quieter outing on Sunday at Wembley, but the Three Lions ran riot in the second half to beat Ireland 5-0 and secure Nations League promotion in Lee Carsley's final match as interim boss. Madueke plumped for a slightly more casual look than Palmer, but still looked the part as he donned a black cardigan with a white shirt underneath. Palmer and Madueke are likely to be straight back in training on Wednesday, with Chelsea returning to action against Leicester in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off. The former pulled out of the England squad last week due to injury, but has since returned to training and is expected to be fit for the weekend trip to the King Power Stadium. Another England talent who missed out over the past week is Kobbie Mainoo, but he was also at Tuesday night's bash. Mainoo rocked a black leather jacket and trousers with a simple white T-shirt to boot. The teenage midfielder has been sidelined in recent weeks due to injury, but was back on the training pitch for new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim's first session on Monday, and looks set to be in contention for a starting berth when the Red Devils face Ipswich on Sunday.   Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group