Xabi Alonso was named manager of Chelsea on 17 May 2026, and officially took charge on 1 July 2026, signing a four-year contract.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has predicted that English attacking midfielder Cole Palmer will enjoy himself and have an impactful season as the West London outfit kick off their Premier League challenge.
The Spanish tactician made this known ahead of the Blues’ Premier League opener and London derby 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.
During that period, Chelsea finished a disappointing 10th and missed out on European competition for this season.
With Alonso assuming the managerial role at Stamford Bridge this summer, there are expectations that Palmer will regain his form and make a difference after a season marred by inconsistent performances and injuries.
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Speaking about Palmer, Alonso described him as ‘world class’ and believes the forward can produce his very best football this campaign after enjoying a full pre-season under the new Chelsea head coach.
He 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.”
Chelsea will have memories of their last Premier League trip to Fulham, where they lost 2–1 and ended the game with 10 men following defender Marc Cucurella’s 22nd-minute dismissal.
