Cole Palmer has openly declared that, under the guidance of new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, he feels "the best I've felt in ages" after a strong start to the season. The 24‑year‑old forward, who endured a frustrating 2025‑26 campaign hampered by a groin injury, appears to have left those difficulties behind and is now flourishing in a system that grants him greater creative liberty. During the previous season, Palmer’s progress was stalled by a lingering groin problem that limited him to just two appearances between August and December.
Although he managed to finish the campaign with ten Premier League goals, a poor run of one goal in eight games at the tail end saw him miss out on a place in England’s World Cup squad. The disappointment was a heavy blow, but the forward used it as motivation rather than a setback. Palmer’s resurgence was on full display on Monday when he opened the scoring in Chelsea’s 3‑2 victory over Fulham.
The goal, a showcase of his technical skill and intelligent movement, reminded fans and pundits alike of the talent that made him one of the most exciting young attackers in the league. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said, "Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages, but I think I can get fitter with more games and minutes." He added that before his groin issue he had rarely suffered injuries, which meant he often returned to the pitch before he was fully recovered, a decision that contributed to his woes. The dilemma of playing through injury versus staying out to preserve fitness was especially acute with the World Cup looming. Palmer explained, "If I don't play I won't go, but if I play then I can't play properly." He described the situation as "sticky" and admitted he was initially unsure how to manage it, receiving varied advice from different medical staff.
Since his return, he has been diligent about his rehabilitation, working daily to avoid a recurrence and focusing on staying injury‑free so he can consistently contribute on the pitch. Alonso’s arrival appears to have unlocked a new dimension to Palmer’s game. In earlier spells under managers Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Palmer often felt constrained by rigid tactical setups that limited his freedom to roam. He hinted at these frustrations publicly, noting that he was sometimes forced into a more disciplined role that didn’t suit his natural instincts.
However, after conversations with Alonso, the forward says the dynamic has changed dramatically. "He [Alonso] told me I would have more freedom to drift around the pitch, just like you saw against Fulham with the goal I scored," Palmer said. He emphasized that last season he would not have taken the same run because it fell outside what the coach considered a "safe zone." Now, Alonso encourages him to move across zones, drop deeper, receive the ball, and create opportunities, essentially giving him the license to express his footballing intuition.
This renewed autonomy dovetails nicely with the emerging attacking partnership of Palmer, Joao Pedro, and recent signing Morgan Rogers. All three found the net at Craven Cottage, prompting supporters to nickname the trio "JP Morgan" – a moniker Palmer admits he finds "rubbish" but acknowledges the chemistry between the three. He joked, "We need a better name.
Joao can do a bit of everything, Morgan’s more physical, and I’m more technical – we have a good balance." Chelsea’s opening win gave the Blues a perfect start to the campaign, and with Alonso’s tactical acumen and no European commitments to distract them, some analysts have begun to label the team as potential surprise title challengers. Former England international Gary Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football, suggested that while Arsenal’s strength could pose a significant hurdle, Chelsea are well‑placed to push for a top‑two finish. When asked whether the squad’s quality could realistically contend for the league crown, Palmer replied confidently, "Yeah, I think so." He also clarified that discussions about the league table have not yet entered the dressing‑room, noting, "We've not even spoken about it. You can't talk about a title race after one game." Looking ahead, Chelsea fans can tune in to watch the Blues take on Brighton on Super Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 2 pm.
The club’s recent form, combined with Palmer’s revitalised confidence and Alonso’s freedom‑focused philosophy, suggests that the season could become a defining chapter in the young striker’s career, turning a period of injury‑related frustration into a platform for sustained success.