Cole Palmer has openly declared that he feels "the best I've felt in ages" after a strong start to the season under the guidance of Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, and he appears determined to leave the difficulties of the previous campaign firmly behind him. The 24‑year‑old forward endured a challenging 2025‑26 season that was marred by a persistent groin injury, limiting him to just two appearances between August and December. Despite managing to score ten Premier League goals, a dip in form at the end of that season – a stretch of one goal in eight games – saw him miss out on selection for England’s World Cup squad.
Palmer quickly put that disappointment to rest on Monday, when he opened the scoring in Chelsea’s opening match against Fulham, a game that ended in a thrilling 3‑2 victory for the Blues. His performance was a vivid reminder of the quality he possesses when given the freedom to express himself on the pitch. "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. He reflected on his injury history, noting that prior to the groin problem 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. 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.'" The striker admitted that navigating his recovery was a "sticky situation" and that he received mixed advice from various medical professionals.
"I was just seeing different people, getting different ideas of why I was injured and what it was," he explained. Since returning to full training, Palmer has been diligent in his daily routines to prevent a recurrence, emphasizing his desire to stay injury‑free and contribute whenever he steps onto the field.
Early signs suggest that Alonso has granted Palmer the creative license he craved under previous managers. During the tenures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, critics often suggested that Palmer was being constrained by more rigid tactical systems. Palmer himself hinted at feeling limited, but he says those constraints have vanished after discussions with his new boss. "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. Last season, I wouldn't have even made that run because it's not a 'safe zone'.
But he's saying move across that zone, drop into play, come get on the ball, create and just do what you do," Palmer recounted. This renewed liberty could be instrumental in forging a potent attacking trio alongside João Pedro and the newly signed Morgan Rogers. All three found the net at Craven Cottage, prompting fans to dub the partnership "JP Morgan" – a nickname Palmer admits he finds "rubbish" but acknowledges the chemistry developing among the three. "We need to come up with something better than that," he joked.
"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." The victory over Fulham gave Chelsea an ideal start to the campaign, and with Alonso’s tactical acumen and the absence of European commitments, some pundits have begun to label the Blues as potential surprise title challengers. On Monday Night Football, former England defender Gary Neville suggested that Arsenal’s strength could pose a significant obstacle, yet he praised Chelsea’s current position and predicted a push for at least second place in the league. Palmer, however, downplayed any talk of the league table within the dressing room.
"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 top honors, Palmer answered confidently, "Yeah, I think so." Beyond the immediate optimism, Palmer’s comments hint at a broader shift in his personal mindset.
The combination of improved physical health, a clear tactical role, and the trust placed in him by Alonso appears to have reignited his confidence. He emphasized that staying injury‑free is now a top priority, and that when he is fit, he wants to make the most of every minute on the pitch.
This attitude aligns with Chelsea’s early season ambitions, which include establishing a consistent attacking rhythm, integrating new signings, and capitalising on the freedom granted to creative players. Looking ahead, Chelsea fans can anticipate a season where Palmer, alongside João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, will be given the space to interchange positions, make diagonal runs, and combine in the final third. The manager’s promise of less rigid structures should allow Palmer to exploit spaces between the lines, a hallmark of his game that was previously curtailed. If the trio can maintain their early scoring form, Chelsea could indeed become a formidable force in the Premier League, challenging the traditional powerhouses and perhaps even mounting a serious title bid.
In summary, Cole Palmer feels revitalised under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, enjoying a level of physical wellbeing and tactical freedom he hasn’t experienced in years. After overcoming a painful groin injury and the disappointment of missing a World Cup spot, he has returned to the field with renewed vigor, scoring the opener in a 3‑2 win over Fulham and expressing confidence in the squad’s quality.
With the promising partnership of João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, and a manager who encourages creativity, Chelsea looks set to embark on an exciting campaign that could see them challenge for top honours in the Premier League.