Liam Rosenior has had his say over Cole Palmer's Chelsea future amid Manchester United transfer rumours
13:57, 23 Jan 2026Updated 14:20, 23 Jan 2026
Cole Palmer during a Chelsea game
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Cole Palmer during a Chelsea game(Image: GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior believes Cole Palmer is 'very happy' at the club amid recent transfer links to Manchester United.
Palmer, 23, joined the Blues from Manchester City in 2023 and has gone on to two trophies at Stamford Bridge, scoring 48 goals and providing 29 assists in 110 appearances. However, his status as an important player has been forced to contend with injury troubles this season, meaning he has not played as many minutes as he would have liked.
As the midfielder has struggled to find his feet since returning in December, rumours of a transfer away from the club to Manchester United - the club he grew up supporting - have surfaced.
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However, Rosenior believes there is nothing in the speculation over Palmer's future, and the player is committed to the cause in west London.
"I've had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems very happy to be here. He's a huge part in our long-term plans," the boss told reporters ahead of Chelsea's fixture against Crystal Palace.
"My job and the club's job is to get him into a situation where he can consistently perform to the level he wants to.
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"There was frustration in the Brentford game. We need to look after him and that's why I didn't involve him in the last game."
Palmer first suffered a groin issue at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, was rushed back, then aggravated the problem. He spent two months sidelined, during which time he broke his toe, before returning ahead of the festive period.
Since coming back, the England international has only completed two full 90-minute matches, including last weekend's win over Brentford in which he netted only his fifth goal this term.
Following on, "a little bit of tightness in his thigh" caused Palmer to sit out Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Pafos.
Providing a further update ahead of Sunday's trip to Selhurst Park, Rosenior added: "Cole is in a good place, he joined training today which is really positive.
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"That's my job [to get him to full fitness].
"I need to look after the players. Not just in terms of Cole, but there's a number of players in the group to look after. I want us to be involved at the end of the season in big games and big competitions."