Cole Palmer Credits Xabi Alonso for Unlocking His Potential at Chelsea

Cole Palmer says Xabi Alonso has “unlocked” him at Chelsea, handing the forward the freedom he felt was missing from his game last season.

The 24-year-old has burst into the new campaign, scoring and assisting in Monday night’s 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham, and he credits the new manager’s approach for the change in rhythm.

Alonso tears up the script

Palmer’s first year at Chelsea marked him out as a standout talent, but the follow-up season bit back. Form dipped, fitness wobbled, and his hopes of making England’s World Cup squad disappeared.

Now there is a different feel.

“He [Alonso] just said I'd have more freedom to drift about the pitch,” Palmer told Sky Sports, pointing straight to his goal against Fulham as the perfect example.

“Just like you saw [against Fulham] with the goal I scored. Last season, I wouldn't have even made that run because it's not a 'safe zone'. But he's saying move across that zone, drop into play, come get on the ball, create and just do what you do.”

The message is simple: roam, receive, and take risks. Under Alonso, Palmer is no longer chained to the touchline or locked into rigid zones. He is encouraged to step into those grey areas defenders hate.

A reset after a bruising year

Chelsea staggered to a 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season, a campaign that ended with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior losing their jobs. The club needed a reset. Alonso arrived at the start of the summer with a clear attacking blueprint and strong backing in the market.

One of the headline moves was Morgan Rogers, signed from Aston Villa for more than £100m to strengthen the attacking midfield options. The idea is obvious: surround Palmer with players who can match his tempo and intelligence.

On Monday night, that plan started to take shape.

“JP Morgan”? Palmer isn’t buying it

The emerging trio of Joao Pedro, Palmer and Rogers has already earned a nickname from parts of the Chelsea support: “JP Morgan”.

Palmer is not convinced.

“It's a rubbish name,” he laughed. “We need to come up with something better than that.

“I think we've got a different mix of qualities. Joao can do a bit of everything. Morgan's more physical and I'm more technical, so I think we've got a good balance.”

Different profiles, one idea: movement, rotation, and constant threat between the lines.

If Alonso keeps giving Palmer this level of freedom, and that “good balance” in attack continues to grow, Chelsea’s days of drifting in mid-table may not last much longer.