Cole Palmer has described his current form as the best he has felt "in ages" after a strong start to the season under Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, and he says the difficulties of last year are firmly behind him. The 24-year-old endured a frustrating 2025-26 campaign, hampered by a lingering groin problem that limited him to just two appearances between August and December. Although he managed to finish the season with ten Premier League goals, a dip in form – only one goal in his final eight league games – saw him miss out on a place in England's World Cup squad, a disappointment that weighed heavily on him.
Palmer left that disappointment in the past on Monday, when he opened the scoring in Chelsea's 3-2 victory over Fulham, a performance that reminded everyone of his natural talent and attacking instincts. "Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages, but I think I can get fitter with games and more minutes," Palmer told Sky Sports after the match. He reflected on his injury history, noting that before the groin issue he had rarely been sidelined. "Before my groin injury, I'd never really been injured.
Well, rarely injured. So then I would just come back and play when I shouldn't have played," he explained. He admitted the timing of the injury created a dilemma as the World Cup approached.
"Obviously the World Cup was coming up, so I was in a bit of a dilemma thinking: 'if I don't play I'm not going to go. But if I play then, I can't play properly'," he said. The uncertainty left him "stuck" and unsure of the best way to manage his recovery.
"I was seeing different people, getting different ideas of why I was injured and what it was," Palmer added. Since returning to full training, he has been diligent about preventing a recurrence, emphasizing his desire to stay injury‑free and to contribute whenever he steps onto the pitch.
Early signs suggest that Alonso has granted Palmer the creative freedom he craved under previous coaches. During the tenures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, there were suggestions that Palmer was being constrained by more rigid tactical systems, and he himself hinted at feeling restricted. However, conversations with the new manager appear to have changed that perception. "He [Alonso] just said I'd have more freedom to drift about the pitch, just like you saw against Fulham with the goal I scored," Palmer recounted.
He contrasted his current role with last season, when he would not have attempted certain runs because they fell outside a "safe zone". "He's saying move across that zone, drop into play, come get on the ball, create and just do what you do," Palmer explained.
That renewed liberty could be the catalyst for a potent attacking trio alongside João Pedro and recent signing Morgan Rogers. All three found the net at Craven Cottage, prompting fans to nickname the unit "JP Morgan" – a moniker Palmer admits he finds "rubbish" but acknowledges the chemistry developing among them. "We need to come up with something better than that," he joked, adding, "João can do a bit of everything, Morgan's more physical and I'm more technical, so I think we've got a good balance." Chelsea's win over Fulham gave the Blues an ideal start to the campaign, and with Alonso's tactical acumen and the absence of European commitments, some pundits have begun to label them as potential surprise title challengers. On Monday Night Football, former England defender Gary Neville suggested that Arsenal's strength could prove a hurdle, yet he praised Chelsea's current position and predicted a push for a top‑two finish.
Palmer, however, downplayed any premature talk of the league table. "We've not even spoken about it," he said.
"You can't say title race yet, we've only played one game." When asked whether he believed the squad possessed the quality to compete for the championship, his answer was a confident, "Yeah, I think so." Beyond the immediate excitement of the opening victory, Palmer's comments reveal a broader narrative of resilience and adaptation. Overcoming a season marred by injury, missing out on a major international tournament, and navigating the psychological strain of uncertainty, he has emerged with renewed confidence. The freedom granted by Alonso not only allows him to express his natural flair but also encourages him to take on a leadership role within the attacking unit, guiding younger teammates and fostering a collaborative environment. Looking ahead, Chelsea will aim to build on this momentum.
The manager's emphasis on fluid, attacking football aligns with Palmer's desire to roam, interlink, and create scoring opportunities. With the trio of Palmer, João Pedro, and Morgan Rogers still finding their rhythm, the potential for a high‑scoring partnership is significant. Their combined attributes – technical skill, physical presence, and versatile movement – could become a cornerstone of Chelsea's strategy as they navigate a competitive Premier League season.
Fans can look forward to more thrilling displays as Palmer continues to showcase his renewed vigor. His commitment to staying injury‑free, coupled with the tactical freedom under Alonso, suggests that the best chapters of his career may still be ahead. As the season unfolds, the Blues will be keen to see whether this early promise translates into consistent performances, and whether the "JP Morgan" nickname will evolve into something more fitting for a trio that could very well become one of the league's most feared attacking forces.