Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is focused on helping playmaker Cole Palmer regain his top form after an injury-affected 2025-26 season that saw the club finish 10th in the Premier League. Palmer dealt with multiple injuries, including a persistent groin issue and a fractured toe sustained at home.
Alonso stated that Palmer is actively working to prevent a recurrence of these injuries. "Cole is determined to enjoy his football. He wants to be fit. He wants to feel healthy," Alonso said ahead of Chelsea's season opener. "If we are able to reach him and he feels that flow in the game and connects well with the players, I'm sure his level is top class, world class, and that he will have a great season."
The manager acknowledged that navigating injury challenges can be a learning experience. "Cole has gone through a difficult period with an injury and now he's working really hard to have the prevention to not feel those symptoms back. Since the first day, he's been working really hard to avoid that," Alonso added.
Chelsea's previous season was also marred by disciplinary issues, including eight red cards, the most in the Premier League. Regarding handling future red cards, Alonso indicated a contextual approach rather than rigid rules. "It depends on the context. You can have a red card. It's football. It can happen," he explained. "But for sure, having emotional control gives you the game control that we want to avoid these kinds of situations."
When asked about the starting goalkeeper for the match against Fulham, Alonso declined to confirm whether Robert Sanchez would start over Mike Penders. "We want healthy competition in all the positions. We will see. The pitch is the boss of everything. I don't decide. The players need to show me," Alonso stated.