Palmer 'back to his best' with Alonso's freedom at Chelsea
Quick summary
Cole Palmer has started the new season promisingly under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, with reports suggesting the forward has been given more tactical freedom after a difficult 2025-26 campaign.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCole Palmer says this is the best he has felt "in ages" after starting the season strongly under Xabi Alonso at Chelsea - and he is putting the tricky previous campaign behind him.
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
Cole Palmer appears to be rediscovering his best form at Chelsea under incoming/recently appointed manager Xabi Alonso, according to Sky Sports. After a troublesome 2025-26 season, the attacker has been granted greater tactical freedom in the new setup, with early indications suggesting a return to the levels that established him as one of the Premier League's most exciting talents. The system under Alonso is designed to liberate Palmer in the final third, potentially restoring his output after a dip in goals and assists last term.
Chance analysis
Chelsea's decision to hand Cole Palmer a clearly defined, freedom-granting role under Xabi Alonso signals a deliberate tactical reset aimed at unlocking the attacker who went off the boil last season. For Chelsea supporters, the early signs point to a player relieved of tactical over-complication, which could see his goals and creative output climb back toward the standards of his breakthrough campaign. The bigger picture matters too: Palmer's revival is central to Chelsea's ambitions under their new project, and his form will be a bellwether for how quickly Alonso can stamp his identity on a young, expensive squad.
Palmer's improved form and Alonso's tactical setup should boost Chelsea's attacking output and Palmer's individual numbers heading into the new season.