Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Xabi Alonso got his tactics with the Chelsea attack spot on during their 3-2 win over Fulham, with him getting the best out of Cole Palmer in particular.
Palmer was back to his brilliant best to get the 2026/27 season underway, picking up an assist for Joao Pedro just 30 seconds into the game.
The Brazilian returned the favour as Chelsea’s star man found the net himself in the second, with what proved to be the winning goal of the West London derby.
Cole Palmer shares instructions for this season from Xabi Alonso
The front three, including those two and new signing Morgan Rogers, plenty is expected of the Blues, but it is down to Alonso to get the best out of the trio.
Palmer was asked about the instructions given to him by his manager, and he told Men in Blazers that he has been given confidence in his abilities by the boss.
He said: “He just said be free, because he knows what I can do when I feel good, and I feel like I can go wherever on the pitch and find areas where I can cause damage. So yeah, that’s what he’s told me.”
Fulham v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
It was obvious that the front three were instructed to be fluid, with them frequently helping each other out to provide overloads on the Fulham defence.
In truth, it is going to be difficult for any side to keep up with their quality. All three found the net at Craven Cottage.
Allowing Palmer to have the free role is the best possible piece of advice any manager can give him, taking into account how well he played when he did this under Mauricio Pochettino.
Robert Sanchez's errors leading to goal
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Palmer ready to make impact after injury woes
The trio are all set to be rested tonight when Chelsea return to action at Stamford Bridge, taking on Luton Town in the EFL Cup.
There will still be some concerns after Palmer has seen more than 12 months of his career impacted by injury. He was clearly not playing at full capacity throughout last season.
The future is extremely exciting though, with it looking as if the England international has a chip on his shoulder following not being selected for the World Cup squad.
If he continues in this manner, it will become impossible for Thomas Tuchel to ignore Palmer when he next chooses an international squad in September.