Alonso’s fitness plan to revive Cole Palmer after World Cup snub

Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso has outlined a plan to restore Cole Palmer’s form after the 24‑year‑old missed England’s World Cup squad, following a season hampered by fitness problems. The Spaniard said the first step must be physical, aiming for full fitness before the season opener at Stamford Bridge. He hopes Palmer can impact the Blues' campaign.

Pre‑season fitness and the Fulham opener

By WILL PICKWORTH, August 18 2026, the report noted that Palmer enjoyed a superb first two campaigns at Stamford Bridge but struggled for form and fitness in 2025‑26. That dip led to the attacking midfielder missing out on England’s World Cup squad, two years after he scored for the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final. Ahead of the Blues’ season opener with Fulham on Monday, Alonso stressed, “First it has to be physical because you need to feel healthy, you need to feel on your full potential 100 per cent to perform.”

Alonso added that “Cole is a special player. If we want a great Chelsea, we need to have a great Cole. And for that we need to build a strong and stable structure to reach him in the right place at the right moments and then he will make the difference.”

Palmer admitted the World Cup snub left him feeling he had a point to prove, recalling his role in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final victory. He revealed that Alonso sent a supportive message when news of his omission from Thomas Tuchel’s squad became public, a gesture he appreciated. “(I said to him) that this is an important season for everyone,” Alonso said, “and for him he can have a great impact in this great year we want to have, but mainly (I said) that he (needs to) feel confident to enjoy his game and for that we need to help him.”

Full fitness and the busy start

Palmer also confirmed he is back to full fitness, noting he played when he “probably shouldn’t have done” due to a groin issue last season. He said the seven weeks off over the summer “obviously helped” and that he now feels good and ready to go again. After the trip to Fulham on Monday, Chelsea host Luton in the Carabao Cup second round on Thursday before entertaining Brighton on Sunday in a busy start to the 2026‑27 campaign.