Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has predicted a robust season for forward Cole Palmer as the team prepares for their Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday.
Palmer, 24, is coming off a challenging 2025-26 season, in which he scored 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 34 matches across all competitions.
This included 10 goals and one assist in 26 Premier League appearances, during which the Blues finished a disappointing 10th, missing out on European competition this season.
With Alonso assuming the managerial role at Stamford Bridge this summer, there are expectations that Palmer will regain his form after a season marred by inconsistent performances and injuries.
The Spanish manager said before the trip to Craven Cottage, as reported by the Daily Mail, “Cole is eager to enjoy his football. He aims to be fit, to feel healthy, and to establish a strong rapport with his teammates. This is our objective.
“If we can connect with him and he experiences that rhythm in the game while bonding well with the players, I am confident that his ability is top-tier, world-class, and that he will have an outstanding season.
“At times, one must endure a phase of injury or similar challenges to gain experience from it. Cole has faced a tough period due to injury, and he is now diligently working to prevent those symptoms from recurring. From day one, he has been putting in significant effort to avoid that.”
The Blues have bolstered their squad during the current transfer window, signing players such as Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
The Blues won’t have happy memories of their last Premier League trip to Fulham, as they lost 2-1, ending the game with 10 men following defender Marc Cucurella’s 22nd-minute dismissal.