Cole Palmer Discusses Xabi Alonso's Impact at Chelsea

Cole Palmer says Xabi Alonso has unlocked a new version of him at Chelsea – by telling him to ignore the “safe zones” and roam wherever he can hurt teams.

The 24-year-old has opened the season in sharp form, scoring and assisting in Monday night’s 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham, and he credits the new manager for loosening the reins.

“He [Alonso] just said I'd have more freedom to drift about the pitch,” Palmer told Sky Sports. “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.”

From frustration to freedom

Palmer’s words carry the weight of a difficult year. After a brilliant first season at Stamford Bridge, he battled form and fitness issues in the last campaign and ended up missing out on England’s World Cup squad.

Chelsea, as a whole, felt stuck. They finished 10th in the Premier League, a grim, muddled season that saw both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior lose their jobs.

The reset came in the summer. Chelsea turned to former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, backed him heavily, and handed him a squad built to play on the front foot.

Morgan Rogers arrived from Aston Villa for more than £100m to add power and goals from attacking midfield. He joined Palmer and Joao Pedro in what is quickly becoming Alonso’s first-choice creative trio.

“JP Morgan”? Palmer not convinced

Sections of the Chelsea support have already tried to brand the new-look attack. Palmer, Joao Pedro and Rogers have been nicknamed “JP Morgan” – a nod to their initials and the financial giant.

Palmer isn’t buying it.

“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.”

Balance, freedom, and a manager willing to rip up the safe zones. For Chelsea and Palmer, that combination suddenly makes mid-table feel a long way away.