As Chelsea’s squad jetted off to Stockholm for their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Djurgårdens, the players found themselves involved in the viral internet debate: Could 100 men defeat a single silverback gorilla?
The “100 men vs. 1 gorilla” discourse traces its origins to a tweet by X user ‘DreamChasnMike’ on April 24.
The question gained unprecedented traction amassing over 288 million engagements across platforms like X, TikTok, and Reddit. High-profile figures, from YouTuber MrBeast to UFC star Conor McGregor, fueled its virality, with memes, virtual fight simulators, and expert analyses adding layers to the debate.
On the Chelsea flight, the debate took a humorous turn, with players passionately staking their claims.
Tosin Adarabioyo didn’t mince words, branding teammate Cole Palmer “stupid” for siding with the 100 men. Adarabioyo firmly backed the gorilla, a stance echoed by Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke. Madueke, with a chuckle, quipped that “guys will run away”.
Marc Cucurella was unequivocal: “Gorilla for sure.” Their arguments align with expert opinions, like primatologist Cat Hobaiter’s in Rolling Stone, who emphasized a gorilla’s raw power against a limited group of attackers at a time.
Palmer and Chalobah 🐶💔 pic.twitter.com/y1eGgOoa7o
— Chibu (@chibusworld) April 30, 2025
However, Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah, and Pedro Neto boldly championed the 100 men. Palmer argued that “100 men willing to fight” could overpower the gorilla, a view that left the interviewer stunned, labeling it “crazy.” Chalobah’s similar stance drew raised eyebrows, while Neto’s support for the humans suggested a belief in strategic collaboration, a perspective shared by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who humorously proposed 100 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsons could win.
