Cole Palmer has openly admitted that he feels "the best he’s felt in ages" after a promising start to the season under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. The 24‑year‑old’s recent resurgence appears to have left the frustrations of last year firmly behind him. The 2025‑26 campaign was a difficult one for Palmer. A nagging groin injury limited his involvement to just two appearances between August and December, and although he managed to finish the season with ten Premier League goals, a dip in form – a solitary goal in his final eight league games – meant he missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Palmer’s disappointment seemed to melt away on Monday when he opened the scoring in Chelsea’s 3‑2 triumph over Fulham, reminding everyone of the talent that made him a highly‑rated prospect. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, "Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages, but I think I can get fitter with games and more minutes." He added that before his groin problem he had rarely suffered injuries, and that the timing of the setback forced him into a difficult dilemma: miss games and risk being overlooked for the World Cup, or push himself back too quickly and risk aggravating the issue.
"It was a sticky situation," Palmer explained. "I was getting different opinions from various medical staff about why I was hurting and how to treat it. Since returning, I’ve been working every day to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I just want to stay injury‑free and, when I’m on the pitch, give everything I can." The renewed sense of confidence seems to be a direct result of the freedom Alonso has granted him.
Under former coaches Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Palmer often felt constrained by more rigid tactical systems, a sentiment he has now publicly dismissed after conversations with the Spanish manager. "Alonso told me I’d have more liberty to roam around the pitch," Palmer said.
"Just look at the goal I scored against Fulham – last season I wouldn’t have even taken that run because it wasn’t considered a ‘safe zone’. He wants me to move into those spaces, drop deep, receive the ball, create chances and simply do what I’m good at." That latitude has already begun to bear fruit, especially when paired with the emerging attacking trio of Joao Pedro and new signing Morgan Rogers. All three found the net at Craven Cottage, prompting fans and pundits to nickname the unit "JP Morgan" – a moniker Palmer admits he finds "rubbish" but appreciates the chemistry developing among the three. "Joao can do a bit of everything, Morgan brings a physical edge and I’m more technical – together we have a balanced mix," he laughed.
Chelsea’s victory over Fulham gave the Blues an ideal start to the campaign, and with Alonso’s tactical acumen and the absence of European commitments, some analysts have begun to label the club as potential surprise contenders for the league title. Former England defender Gary Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football, warned that Arsenal’s quality could prove a stumbling block, yet he still believed Chelsea were positioned well enough to push for a top‑two finish. When asked whether the dressing room had begun discussing the league table, Palmer was quick to point out that it was still early days.
"We haven’t even spoken about it," he said. "You can’t talk about a title race after one game." Nevertheless, when probed about the squad’s ability to challenge for honors, Palmer answered affirmatively: "Yeah, I think so." Looking ahead, Chelsea’s next fixtures include a Carabao Cup clash against Luton, set to kick off at 7.30pm on Thursday, and a series of Premier League encounters that will test the depth and resilience of the squad. For Palmer, the focus remains on staying fit, contributing to the team’s attacking play, and continuing to enjoy the newfound freedom that Alonso has encouraged. As the season unfolds, supporters will be watching closely to see whether Palmer can maintain this level of performance and whether the "JP Morgan" partnership evolves into one of the league’s most feared front‑lines.
With his confidence restored, his body feeling stronger than ever, and a manager willing to let him express his natural game, Palmer appears poised to make a significant impact for Chelsea this term.