Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso believes Cole Palmer can return to his best level, as the club look to see the England midfielder rediscover the form that made him a key figure during his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer, 24, enjoyed two strong campaigns after moving to Chelsea. However, his 2025-26 season was disrupted by problems with both his form and physical readiness. He subsequently missed out on England’s squad for the World Cup.
Alonso has now offered his assessment of Palmer, highlighting the player’s ability to recover his previous standards. The Chelsea manager’s comments amount to a clear expression of confidence in the midfielder, despite the difficulties Palmer experienced during the latest campaign.
The central issue is whether Palmer can again produce the level of performances he showed after joining Chelsea. His first two seasons at the club had established him as an important player, but his progress was interrupted during 2025-26 by a combination of fitness concerns and a loss of form.
Palmer has previously said that he has fully recovered from the groin problems that affected him. That statement provides an indication that the player considers the physical difficulties behind him as he aims to re-establish himself.
His absence from England’s World Cup squad followed a season in which he was unable to maintain the same consistency as in his opening two campaigns with Chelsea. The omission therefore forms part of the wider backdrop to Alonso’s comments about Palmer and the need for the midfielder to return to his previous level.
Alonso’s remarks did not change the facts of Palmer’s recent season, but they did underline the manager’s belief that the player remains capable of reaching his best again. For Chelsea, Palmer’s recovery in form and fitness is now a significant part of the discussion surrounding the midfielder.
The focus is consequently on what Palmer can produce next. He has already demonstrated his quality over two successful seasons at Chelsea, while his own declaration that he has recovered from his groin issue suggests the physical setback has been addressed.
Alonso’s view is that Palmer can regain the level that made him such an influential player for Chelsea. After a campaign affected by form and fitness problems, the club will hope the 24-year-old can respond by returning to the standard he set during his first two seasons in west London.
