Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Cole Palmer continues to be one of the main talking points at Chelsea after getting a full pre-season under his belt.
Cole Palmer’s summer took an unexpected turn when he missed out on the World Cup squad, a tough pill to swallow for a player of his quality.
However, rather than letting it derail him, he has returned to Chelsea with a renewed sense of focus and hunger ahead of the new campaign.
He’s looked like himself again on the pre-season tour, smiling and joking around, which is a stark contrast to last season under Liam Rosenior, where rumours first started that Palmer wanted to leave.
Cole Palmer is heading in the right direction at Chelsea
Much has been said about the impact Xabi Alonso may have on Cole Palmer, and it’s there for all to see.
Those close to the Chelsea travelling party quickly noticed that Palmer was in great spirits on the pre-season tour, according to The Athletic.
People close to the squad noticed a difference, and see it as a positive sign as to where his head is at going into his fourth Chelsea season.
However, the real test will be on the pitch, where the Englishman will be playing alongside his good friend Morgan Rogers, who looks like he will play off the left and Palmer central.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers of England
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s pre-season stats aren’t heavily tracked like regular league matches since summer friendlies are mostly about building fitness and trying things out, but he’s featured prominently across Chelsea’s tour games under Alonso.
He started in key matchups like the friendly against AC Milan most recently, logging solid minutes and pulling the strings in the final third.
His stats were fairly promising too, with two shots on target, one big chance created, 60 touches, a passing accuracy percentage of 83, four out of six accurate long balls, four recoveries, two tackles, one interception, was fouled twice and won four out of seven duels.