Cole Palmer has declared himself in the best physical shape he has experienced in a long time, and he is wasting no time putting a frustrating 2025-26 campaign firmly in the past as Chelsea begin life under Xabi Alonso.
The 24-year-old endured a stop-start previous season after picking up a groin injury that restricted him to just two appearances between August and December. Despite finishing the campaign with 10 Premier League goals, a lean run of one goal in eight matches at the end of the season ultimately cost him a place in England's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad.
"Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages," Palmer told Sky Sports. "Before my groin injury, I'd never really been injured — well, rarely. So then I would just come back and play when I shouldn't have played."
Palmer admitted the looming FIFA World Cup 2026 made his decision to play through injury all the more complicated. "Obviously the World Cup was coming up, so I was in a bit of a dilemma," he said. "If I don't play I'm not going to go. But if I play then, I can't play properly. It was just a bit of a sticky situation."
Alonso's licence to thrill
Palmer wasted little time making his mark under Alonso, netting in Chelsea's Premier League opener — a 3-2 victory over Fulham — and he attributed his bright start to the attacking freedom his new manager has afforded him.
"He just said I'd have more freedom to drift about the pitch," Palmer explained. "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."
During the tenures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Palmer had at times appeared constrained by more rigid tactical structures. The change in approach under Alonso appears to have unlocked a more liberated version of the attacker.
The 'JP Morgan' question
Palmer, Joao Pedro, and new signing Morgan Rogers all found the net at Craven Cottage, prompting fans to label the trio 'JP Morgan.' Palmer, however, was less than impressed with the nickname.
"It's a rubbish name. We need to come up with something better than that," he said with a laugh. "I think we've got a different mix of qualities. Joao can do a bit of everything. Morgan's more physical and I'm more technical, so I think we've got a good balance."
Title talk — not yet
Chelsea's bright opening-day display has led some observers to raise the prospect of an unlikely Premier League title challenge this season. Gary Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football, suggested Arsenal's strength remained a significant obstacle but backed Chelsea for a push toward second place.
Palmer was measured when the subject was raised, insisting the dressing room has not entertained any title conversation just yet. "We've not even spoken about it," he said. "You can't say title race yet, we've only played one game." Asked whether he believed Chelsea had the squad quality to challenge, his response was short and confident: "Yeah, I think so."
