Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has articulated his approach to maximizing the potential of attacking midfielder Cole Palmer during the upcoming season.
Palmer, 24, experienced a significant dip in form and fitness during the 2025-26 season, which ultimately led to his exclusion from England's World Cup squad. This marks a stark contrast to his performance in the Euro 2024 final two years prior, where he scored for the Three Lions.
Alonso emphasized that Palmer's resurgence must begin with his physical well-being. "First it has to be physical," Alonso told the Men in Blazers Media Network. "Because you need to feel healthy, you need to feel on your full potential 100 per cent to perform."
Beyond physical readiness, Alonso highlighted the importance of confidence and a supportive team structure. "Once you feel this healthy and fit then you need confidence. You need to feel that the system works, that you are enjoying your game and you have your responsibilities within the game," he explained. "But Cole is a special player. If we want a great Chelsea, we need to have a great Cole. And for that we need to build a strong and stable structure to reach him in the right place in the right moments and then he will make the difference."
Palmer himself has expressed a desire to prove himself after the World Cup snub. He acknowledged receiving a supportive message from Alonso upon learning of his omission from the England squad. Alonso shared that his initial conversations with Palmer focused on the significance of the current season and the impact the player could have.
"(I said to him) that this is an important season for everyone," Alonso stated. "And for him he can have a great impact in this great year we want to have, but mainly (I said) that he (needs to) feel confident to enjoy his game and for that we need to help him."
Palmer recently confirmed he is back to full fitness, admitting that he played through a groin issue last season when he "probably shouldn't have done." He added, "I feel good now. The seven weeks (off over the summer) obviously helped. I'm ready to go again."
Chelsea's 2026-27 campaign begins with an away match against Fulham on Monday, followed by a Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town on Thursday and a home fixture against Brighton on Sunday.