Cole Palmer has stated that the tactical freedom he is currently experiencing under manager Xabi Alonso is already yielding positive results, a sentiment he contrasted with his previous experiences at Chelsea. Palmer scored his first goal of the season in a recent match against Fulham, a play that he suggested would not have been possible under earlier regimes.
"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 told Sky Sports. "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."
In the match against Fulham, Palmer recorded five shots, five successful dribbles, ten duels won, and nine touches in the opposition box, statistics that surpassed his peers in each category.
Last season, Palmer scored ten goals in the Premier League, a decrease from his previous totals of 22 and 15. This dip in form coincided with missing 11 matches due to injury.
The 24-year-old also disclosed that he played through significant pain in an effort to be included in England's World Cup squad. Palmer was notably absent from Thomas Tuchel's squad selection.
"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," Palmer explained. "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 described the situation as "sticky" and acknowledged uncertainty in how to manage it, seeking various opinions on his injury. Palmer has since been focused on his recovery and staying injury-free to maintain his on-field performance.
"Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes," he stated. Palmer has previously recalled falling asleep during England's match against Mexico in the last 16 of the tournament, admitting, "I fell asleep at half-time."