Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is determined to establish himself in the 2026-27 Premier League season following last year's campaign, which was marred by injuries. The English player stated that he has fully recovered both physically and mentally and is ready to perform under the guidance of new manager Xabi Alonso.
Last season, Palmer scored 10 goals and provided one assist in 26 league matches, but his performances were repeatedly interrupted by injuries. The 24-year-old footballer believes that physical problems negatively affected his psychological state, hindering the restoration of his natural rhythm on the pitch.
"Last season was disappointing because injuries constantly disrupted my rhythm. When you step onto the field injured, doubts start to creep in. You question every movement; you hesitate because you remember what it feels like to be in pain. Such a mental block can be harder to overcome than the injury itself," Palmer told JioStar in an interview.
He continued: "But now I have overcome that. I am completely healthy, and my mind is clear. I know what I can do on the field, and I intend to show it this season. I want to prove my worth at Chelsea."
The arrival of Alonso gave Palmer a clear understanding of what is expected of him. Instead of restricting his attacking instincts, the Chelsea coach encouraged him to play freely and use his movements to exploit space in the final third.
"Before the season started, Xabi Alonso simply told me to be free on the pitch. He knows what I am capable of when I am confident. He wants me to find zones, move into dangerous areas, and create chances. This belief from the coach gives a lot of confidence. I feel I can express myself without fear. I know where I can hurt opponents, and he wants me to do it. He told me that."
This season, Palmer will also have a new attacking partner for development—Morgan Rogers. The Chelsea forward reported that he spoke with Rogers even before his transfer and believes their contrasting qualities could make them an effective pair.
"I spoke with Morgan Rogers before he came to Chelsea and told him that he would make a big contribution here. We are also bringing in other players, so the squad looks strong. I genuinely believe we can achieve something special together. Morgan and I are different types of players: he is more physical and strong, while I am more technical and creative. This balance should work well for us on the pitch. I think we can complement each other and help the team move forward."
The pair has already demonstrated a memorable celebration moment, with Rogers' signature cool celebration appearing after the Chelsea vs. Fulham match. Palmer suggested that fans will see the two teammates recreate this moment.
"We didn't really talk about the cool celebration after a goal. I knew Morgan would do it anyway because it's his style, but we never discussed whether we would do it together or not. It happened in the game against Fulham, and we will do it together again soon. I think we will know when the time comes."
Now that physical condition is no longer dominating his preparation, Palmer's focus is on transforming his confidence into productive performances for Chelsea as the new Premier League campaign develops.