Cole Palmer has the chance to get into Xabi Alonso's good books before the 44-year-old takes the reins at Chelsea on July 1.
17:22, 22 May 2026
Cole Palmer of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on May 22, 2026 in Cobham, England
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Cole Palmer in Chelsea training at Cobham(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Calum McFarlane has been putting the Chelsea players through their paces ahead of this weekend's clash against Sunderland. The Blues will lock horns with Regis Le Bris' side at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon as they look to climb the Premier League table on the final day of the season.
Chelsea could finish as high as 7th and qualify for the Europa League, or as low as 13th, so they can't afford to take their foot off the pedal. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday afternoon, McFarlane previewed the 'must-win' fixture.
"It's going to be a great game," said the interim Blues boss. "Both teams need to win as well. Sunderland have had a brilliant season. They're a really good side, a really challenging side, causing you problems.
"We need one more push, one more big game, three points, and hopefully get ourselves up that table," added McFarlane. "We're more than capable of going there and winning that game, but we know we have to be at our best to get three points because they're a very good side."
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On whether the Chelsea squad have a point to prove, the 38-year-old said: "The reason they're at this level and able to play for a club of this magnitude is because they can deal with setbacks.
"If they wouldn't and they didn't have that resilience, they wouldn't be international footballers, they wouldn't have won competitions they've won, they wouldn't be as good as they are as players. So, they'll be able to deal with any setback."
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So, with that being said, football.london has looked at four things you may have missed in Chelsea training on Friday.
Chelsea duo return to action
Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill returned to action at Cobham training ground this week. football.london understands that the Chelsea striker suffered a knock ahead of the victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
The Cobham graduate was also omitted from the matchday squad; however, he was simply rested, having only recently returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Pedro and Colwill looked as good as new; they'll need to be at their very best on Sunday afternoon if the Blues are to qualify for the Europa League.
Fernandez leads by example
Enzo Fernandez led the orange bibs to victory in a small-sided game. With help from Joao Pedro, Wesley Fofana, Jesse Derry, who returned to the matchday squad on Tuesday night for the first time since he suffered that head injury against Nottingham Forest, the Chelsea midfielder found himself on the winning team again.
Earlier in the training session, Fernandez looked as focused as ever in pictures captured by the club photographer, setting the mood ahead of a 'must-win' clash.
Mamadou Sarr, Jesse Derry, Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernandez, Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, Gabriel Slonina and Dario Essugo of Chelsea celebrate winning the mini tournament during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on May 22, 2026 in Cobham, England
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Enzo Fernandez was on the winning team in a small-sided training drill
Three Chelsea stars stake claim
Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, and Gabriel Slonina were also on the orange bibs team. Although McFarlane is unlikely to make wholesale changes to the starting lineup this weekend, the three fringe players staked a claim for a place in the side.
Between Sarr and Essugo, they've played less than 500 minutes for Chelsea this season. Including Slonina, who's only appeared three times for the under-21s this term, they tallied a combined 763 minutes.
Muy Gusto, Gusto!
Malo Gusto appeared to be in good spirits. The Chelsea defender, who sustained a minor injury in the days leading up to the clash against Roberto De Zerbi's side on Tuesday evening, was enjoying the great weather as he looked to rebuild his fitness.
Palmer body language spotted
On Friday morning, Thomas Tuchel announced his 26-man England squad for the upcoming World Cup. Cole Palmer was left out, making Reece James the only Chelsea player in the Three Lions camp.
The Blues midfielder was pictured looking rather sorry for himself; he could hardly raise a smile. McFarlane, though, did say on Friday how well the former Man City man had trained despite the England snub.
When quizzed on the decision to omit Palmer, McFarlane said: "I don't want to comment on that - it's not got anything to do with me. The England manager has made a decision, so it's best to speak to him.
"We have full belief in Cole, and we will be relying on him on Sunday," continued the interim Chelsea boss. "I think in life and in football, you need to take every setback as a positive.
"There's going to be lots of them - moments like this. And if you have the right mindset, you can turn it into a positive."
McFarlane added: "In terms of Cole and the England announcement, that was made at 10am. We haven't had time to speak or get a feel for the group. Training was really good. I'm sure we'll have those conversations in the coming days and see how they are."
Palmer has a point to prove on Sunday afternoon as he looks to make a lasting impression on Xabi Alonso ahead of a new era at Stamford Bridge.
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