Explained: Why Chelsea stars Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill went to watch non-league clash between Walton & Hersham and Sholing

With Chelsea not playing Everton until Monday night, the Blues' first-team squad have been able to enjoy the weekend a bit more, including Palmer and Colwill. The English duo were seen watching Walton & Hersham's 1-0 win over Sholing in the Southern League Premier South, but why were the youngsters attending this contest between two semi-professional sides in the first place?

In 2014, a young Colwill was there to watch Sholing face West Auckland Town in the FA Vase final. On that day, three of his uncles - Barry and Bryan Mason and Marvin McLean - played for Sholing, near Southampton in Hampshire, and they invited the 11-year-old Colwill to be a mascot. A decade on, and the now 21-year-old is still watching Sholing from time to time, as evidenced by his appearance with Palmer on Saturday. Another of his uncles, Dan Mason, started the 1-0 defeat alongside brother Byron.

Walton & Hersham FC posted a photo on X, formerly Twitter, of Palmer and Colwill enjoying the game, with the caption: "Some familiar faces in attendance at Walton & Hersham today…"

Colwill is unlikely to feature in Chelsea's clash at Stamford Bridge with lowly Everton due to a toe injury but Palmer, who has been the Blues' player of the season, is likely to start as the west London outfit try to keep their European qualification hopes alive.