Eagle-eyed supporters spot clue about Cole Palmer's aspirations as photo of the Chelsea star goes viral before win over Brighton

Inquisitive fans have noticed a clue about Cole Palmer's aspirations for the season when closely examining the lock screen of his phone. 

Palmer, 22, has enjoyed a stunning debut season for Chelsea since joining the club from Man City for £42.5million last summer.

After leaving the Etihad having struggled for regular gametime, the attacking midfielder has been one of the Premier League's star players, scoring 22 goals and adding 10 assists in 33 top flight games for the Blues.

Such has his form been that Palmer has broken into the England squad ahead of Euro 2024, while he has regularly single-handedly carried Chelsea as they look to qualify for Europe after a fantastic run late in the season. 

Palmer has subsequently been nominated for the Premier League's Player and Young Player of the Season awards, but several other accolades will also be handed out at the end of the campaign.

This includes the PFA awards, which are accolades voted for by players, with a Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year gong up for grabs.

And, ahead of Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, a game in which Palmer scored in, fans were quick to highlight photos of Palmer arriving ahead of the clash.

On one photo of Palmer, a fan said: 'Peep his lock screen', before zooming in on the Englishman's phone, which was visible in the shot. 

After zooming in on what appeared to be a trophy, one suporter alleged that the trophy was the same as the PFA Player of the Year Award.

This suggests Palmer is determined to do all he can to pick up this award in the final week of the season, and that he is also using that potential prize as a major motivation. 

The nominees for this year's PFA Player of the Year are yet to be announced, but the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have won it in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, in regards to the PFA Young Player of the Year, which Palmer is also likely to be in the running for, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are all recent winners.

To qualify for the young player award, you have to be 23 or under as of July 1 immediately preceding the season, meaning Palmer will be rivalled by Foden and Saka in the battle for honours, but for the overall player award, there is no criteria to meet.

Elsewhere, Foden was handed the Football Writers' Association Football of the Year award, while the Premier League's official awards will be revealed on May 18.

Palmer is set to conclude his stunning campaign when Chelsea host Bournemouth on Sunday, with Pochettino's side rising up to sixth place after their victory at the Amex Stadium last night.