One of Xabi Alonso’s biggest tasks as Chelsea’s new manager is getting the best out of Cole Palmer. The Blues star endured his toughest season at Stamford Bridge since arriving in 2023.
Palmer had to contend with playing while injured. It was an injury that did not stop him playing, but limited the England playmaker. Alan Shearer recently described it as being in a “horrible position”.
Has Cole Palmer been wronged? Or is it just deserved for his poor form?🤔
For the first time in four years, Palmer is enjoying some time off. In 2023, he was part of England’s U21 side that won the European Championships. In 2024, he was part of the side that reached Euro 2024.
In 2025, the Club World Cup. So, Palmer is enjoying a rest which will allow him to recover from the groin issue that has hampered him. But can Alonso get the best out of him? Well, keeping his best pal helps.
Xabi Alonso may have to keep Cole Palmer’s best friend
If Alonso can do anything to help Palmer return to his best, keeping the former City star’s best friend at Stamford Bridge helps. Palmer has admitted in the past that he is inseparable from Tosin Adarabioyo.
Initial reports said Alonso could keep Tosin and lean on his experience to help the Spaniard settle at Chelsea. But Tosin has also been offered to Palace in Chelsea’s attempts to sign Maxence Lacroix.
This week, Cesc Fabregas’ Como have been linked with Tosin, too. If Alonso wants to get the best out of Palmer, then maybe the best thing he can do is ignore interest in Tosin and keep him at Chelsea.
If Tosin is sold, then signing Palmer’s other best mate is key
But Tosin himself may want an exit. Chelsea have an abundance of central defenders, and without European football, game time is reduced. Tosin may feel that he has to leave to get more game time.
If Tosin does go, it raises the importance of signing another of Palmer’s best mates if Alonso is keen on getting the best out of the former Man City star. But that could well cost £100m, in Morgan Rogers.
If you could pick Chelsea’s next no.10, would you have Bellingham or Rogers?
Childhood friends after their time in City’s academy, Rogers even claims that Palmer’s cold celebration was his first. The Sun describes their relationship as ‘the best of frenemies’. The duo are very close.
Of course, Palmer having one of his two best pals at Chelsea is not the be-all and end-all. But if Alonso wants to play his part in getting Palmer back to his best, then making his environment comfortable is key.
Either keep Tosin at Chelsea, which may be beyond his control, or signing Rogers is an important part of getting the best out of Palmer. The England star remains one of Chelsea’s seven ‘untouchables’.
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