Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has started the season superbly(Image: Mike Hewitt)
View Image
Xabi Alonso has vowed there is "more to come" from Cole Palmer at Chelsea after an encouraging start to the season for the attacker.
The 24-year-old has begun the campaign with a bang - scoring two and assisting the same amount in the first four Premier League matches.
After a disappointing 2025/26 season where Palmer struggled with a persistent and complex groin injury, he was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup. Palmer was allowed the summer off - the first time that has happened in his senior career - and so far, the extended break has paid off.
Going into tomorrow night's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, Palmer is part of the division's most-feared attacking trio at the time of writing. No defence has been able to keep out Palmer, Morgan Rogers or Joao Pedro - at least one of the three has scored in a league fixture this term.
POLL
While Palmer is thriving under Alonso, the Chelsea manager believes we are yet to see the best of the former Manchester City man.
"I think there's more to come," explained Alonso on Palmer. "We can expect more from Cole.
"I am very happy with Cole. The way he has prepared since the first day of pre-season, he has been there, he has shown the desire to enjoy his game.
"I think what he wants is to enjoy his game, to have this good feeling on the pitch, this connection with players around him. If he gets that, the rest will come.
"England will come, more winning games will come, that will come naturally because he's a top, top-level player. That's the main thing for him - to feel good."
Tuchel is set to announce his latest England squad today. The Three Lions have Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czech Republic (x2) and Croatia on the horizon - and Palmer is waiting to see if he has done enough in the early parts of the season to be recalled.
Asked if Palmer should be included in the England squad, Alonso said: "We will see tomorrow, it's not my call. We will see."
Alonso also described Palmer as a "special" person to have around Cobham and is looking forward to getting to know the Manchester-born attacker even better.
"I have been here for two months," said the Chelsea boss. "Day by day, I get to know the players better. I get to know Cole better. Cole gets to know me better.
"This is about having connection, about having contact, and Cole is a special guy."
While Chelsea's attack is statistically the second-best in the Premier League going into matchday five, their defence is among the worst.
The Blues have conceded nine goals in the opening four fixtures, and Alonso is hoping to see an improvement going into tomorrow evening's trip to west London rivals Brentford.
"It is obvious in defence we can do better," said Alonso. "In attack, we are doing well.
"We need to find the right balance between defence and attack. Not to concede that many goals. It is for sure clear. I am sure that we will do it.
"Everything takes time. We have had circumstances that have allowed us to create the stability that we want. Once we get it, we will be more solid."
Get YOUR Chelsea Newsletter
All the best news, features, updates and analysis from Bobby Vincent and more straight to your Inbox!
Yours in just two simple steps.