Cole Palmer: Chelsea star hailed ‘world-class’ after promising start under Xabi Alonso

Cole Palmer has been described as “world-class” by Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso after beginning the 2026/27 Premier League season with a goal and an assist, raising hopes that the England international can return to his best after an injury-hit campaign.

Palmer joined Chelsea in September 2023 and quickly became one of the club’s most important attacking players. His influence at Stamford Bridge grew rapidly, but the 2025/26 season was disrupted by a groin injury which restricted both his appearances and his impact.

Palmer still made 26 Premier League appearances and scored 10 league goals, but he provided only one assist. Those figures would represent a strong return for many players, although they marked a considerable decline from the standards he had established since arriving at Chelsea.

“After the worst injury-hit campaign of his career, Palmer has begun the new season with a goal and an assist,” Tribuna reporter George Woodward told KickOff.

The injury affected Palmer from the early weeks of last season. He travelled abroad for specialist advice and considered undergoing surgery before ultimately deciding against the procedure.

His fitness problems contributed to a difficult campaign for Chelsea and also played a part in him missing out on an England place at the World Cup.

“That absence from the World Cup could prove useful,” said Woodward.

Rather than returning late for pre-season after taking part in an international tournament, Palmer was able to start preparations from the first day under Alonso, Chelsea’s new manager. That gave the 24-year-old more time to recover, train regularly and become familiar with Alonso’s tactical approach.

“Palmer began pre-season from day one under Chelsea’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, instead of reporting back late from an international tournament. It gave him time to recover, train consistently and understand the new system,” Woodward explained.

Alonso has also offered public backing to the forward. The Chelsea manager has called Palmer “world-class” and said the injury issues that affected him previously are now behind him.

“Alonso has been emphatic in public. He has called Palmer ‘world-class’ and said the player’s previous injury problems are behind him,” Woodward said.

He also cautioned that only a small number of matches have been played, but believes the early evidence is positive.

“Small samples must be treated with caution, but the early indicators are encouraging.”

Chelsea’s summer recruitment could further benefit Palmer. One addition in particular may help Alonso create more attacking options: Morgan Rogers, Palmer’s former team-mate from their Manchester City academy days and a close friend.

“Chelsea’s summer recruitment could also make Palmer’s life easier. Morgan Rogers, Palmer’s close friend from their Manchester City academy years, offers Alonso another creative no.10 rather than a rival for the same ball,” Woodward added.

There has, however, already been one fitness concern during the new campaign. Palmer missed a pre-season fixture against Juventus after suffering a contact knock, although Alonso said the problem was unrelated to the groin injury that disrupted the previous season.

“There is an obvious warning. Palmer missed a pre-season match against Juventus after a contact knock, though Alonso said it was unrelated to the groin issue. The conditions are substantially better than they were a year ago,” Woodward said.

With Chelsea aiming to improve on last season, Palmer’s return to full fitness could be central to their prospects.

“If he stays fit, Chelsea’s new system continues to provide space in the final third, and the Rogers partnership develops as expected, Palmer has every chance of reasserting himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attacking players.”