Cole Palmer
CHE
AM (RW)
Shadow Striker
May 6, 2002 (24)
Left
6'1"
168 lb
ChelseaMakes starting XI in friendly
Palmer (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's friendly against AC Milan, according to the club.
Analysis: Palmer had been left out entirely for the earlier friendly against Juventus with a minor discomfort, a precautionary absence new coach Xabi Alonso said the club did not want to risk. His return to the starting XI confirms that issue has cleared up, positioning him to build match fitness after a frustrating, injury disrupted season that saw him finish with 10 league goals and one assist across 26 appearances.
Rested as precaution
Palmer (undisclosed) is left out entirely for Wednesday's friendly against Juventus after training individually Tuesday with a minor issue, with the club opting not to take any risks, according to the club.
Analysis: Palmer's absence is described as precautionary rather than a serious setback, coming after a frustrating, injury disrupted season by his lofty standards, one that saw him miss a big chunk of the first half of the campaign and finish with 10 league goals and one assist in 26 appearances. His creativity, penalty taking and eye for goal make him one of Chelsea's most important attacking pieces, whether deployed centrally as a number 10 or out wide, and he is hoped to be available for the club's next match against AC Milan. Palmer is expected to be reassessed as the club continues preseason preparations.
Training individually Tuesday
Palmer trained individually Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong, making him a potential doubt for the match, Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Palmer was hampered by a string of different injuries throughout last season, limiting him to just 26 league appearances, and while he did get a rare fully rested summer after being left out of the World Cup squad, seeing him already picking up problems in pre-season is not the ideal sign heading into the new campaign. He was pictured doing individual work at Chelsea's open training session Tuesday, and while the club has not disclosed any details about the issue, this kind of solo work early in pre-season is often precautionary and manageable rather than alarming. Even so, it leaves him a doubt for Wednesday's friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong
Feeling good in preseason
Palmer is feeling good ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, cleared from his last season injury and motivated to play under new manager Xabi Alonso, he said to the media, according to Simon Johnson of The Athletic. "I did not really know how to deal with it (his injury last season). The first few months, with me being injured, I just wanted to go out and play. Which I probably should not have done. Obviously I could not play how I wanted to play. It was a bad season personally with injuries and stuff but I feel good now. The seven weeks obviously helped. I am ready to go again."
Analysis: Palmer finished last season with 10 league goals, tying for second on the team despite missing a significant chunk of the campaign through injury and enduring a frustrating stretch without a goal contribution that ultimately cost him a spot on England's World Cup roster. His recent comments reflect a player determined to put a difficult year behind him, and his clean bill of health entering preseason under the new coaching staff positions him for a bounce back season for Chelsea.
Scores in finale
Palmer scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-1 loss against Sunderland. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 101st minute.
Analysis: Palmer beat the goalkeeper with a low shot from outside the box at the near post during the 56th minute in the week 38 defeat. The goal ended a frustrating 12-game stretch without a goal or assist for the attacking midfielder. Despite missing a significant portion of the first half of the season through injury, he finished with 10 league goals, tying Enzo Fernandez for second on the team in that category. Still, a disappointing end to the campaign ultimately cost him his place in England's World Cup roster.
Won't be at World Cup
Palmer was not included in England's World Cup squad and will now look to end a season heavily disrupted by injuries on a positive note in Sunday's finale against Sunderland.
Analysis: Palmer's omission from the national team is a notable development for a player who had been one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League before injuries repeatedly interrupted his campaign. The Chelsea playmaker contirbuted 10 goals, three assists, 72 shots and 32 chances created across 32 appearances (28 starts) in all competitions this season, and will be motivated to produce a strong performance against Sunderland as he looks ahead to a fully fit and uninterrupted 2026/27 campaign.
Quiet during FA Cup final
Palmer registered two crosses in Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City.
Analysis: Palmer was mainly held in check by his former club Saturday, as the attacker only recorded two crosses in the attack to go along with a tackle. This continues a quiet second half of the season for him, as his last goal came March 4. This is not a good sign for the attacker with the England national team selection for the World Cup around the corner, although he has still recorded nine goals and one assist in 24 appearances (22 starts) this season.
Fails to break through
Palmer recorded five shots (two on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Monday's 3-1 defeat versus Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Palmer did put two of his five shots on frame but the forward was quite wasteful in the final third against an opponent who is starting to round into form late in the year. Palmer gets a neutral matchup against Liverpool in the next game, as the Reds have conceded 47 goals in 35 domestic matches.
Remains on bench
Palmer (hamstring) is on the bench for Sunday's clash with Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Analysis: Palmer is still on the bench for Sunday's clash despite training in part earlier in the week. The midfielder wasn't deemed fit enough for the FA Cup semifinal, and is only a bench option. If he's needed it's likely he would be available to try and change the match in the second half.
Late call for Sunday
Palmer (hamstring) is a late call for Sunday's match against Leeds United, according to manager Calum McFarlane. "With Joao and Cole, they both trained today and are in a good place. We don't know yet [whether they can feature on Sunday], but we have another day tomorrow to have a look at them and then make a call on them. But we hope so [they can be involved], but it's important we give them time. We are going to train tomorrow, they will both be involved, and we will make a call on them after that session."
Analysis: Palmer could be in for a return this week, but it will come down to a late fitness test, trying to help his team make an FA Cup final. The attacker's return would be a major boost to the attack, especially after the loss of Estevao (hamstring) for the rest of the season, needing to add one of their key players back. If deemed fit enough to play, Palmer will eye a starting role, trying to end his seven-match slide without a goal contribution.
Out with hamstring injury
Palmer is not in the squad for Tuesday's game versus Brighton due to a minor hamstring issue, which has been mentioned by manager Liam Rosenior prior to the game. "Cole's had some tightness in his hamstring, which he's been carrying. He's going to be out for this game, and we'll see how he moves on for the FA Cup semi-final".
Analysis: Palmer is a late absence for the midweek match, with Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto appearing in attacking midfield roles. The England international will be questionable for the subsequent FA Cup clash against Leeds United, with his availability depending on how fast he can overcome his injury. He had started seven straight games prior to this issue, though he failed to score or assist in that span.
Goalless outing again
Palmer registered four shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 loss versus Manchester United.
Analysis: Palmer continues his struggles as he tries to get back on the scoresheet, once again without a goal despite his four shots. That said, not a single shot would find the target, with only two shots on target in his past four league outings. With nine goals this season, he is seeing a rough drop from last season, having six fewer with only a couple of games to play, although he had missed time through injury.
Continues rough period
Palmer registered four shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 3-0 loss versus Manchester City.
Analysis: Palmer is usually known as the talisman for Chelsea, but has been on a rough streak of play, now without a goal contribution in five straight appearances in all competitions, not being one of the seven goals in their massive FA Cup win over Port Vale. That said, the attacker remains at nine goals and one assist this season, still searching for the goal to get him to double digits.
Quiet in loss
Palmer recorded three shots (one on goal), four crosses (two accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Palmer took three shots and sent in four crosses but failed to create a chance and put only a single shot on goal during Saturday's loss. It hasn't been a perfect season for Palmer, but he's repeatedly shown his quality and his talent on the ball. Despite that, he has only nine goals and one assist in the Premier League this season.
Racking up the goals
Palmer scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
Analysis: Palmer powered a shot through traffic Wednesday to score Chelsea's third goal in their 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa. In addition to his goal, the attacking midfielder contributed two interceptions and one clearance to the defensive effort across his 85 minute shift. Across his last five appearances (five starts), Palmer has scored five goals and supplied one assist.
Remains fit for Wednesday
Palmer only came off due to a knock in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal due to a knock and is fit for Wednesday's match against Aston Villa, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Cole took a knock [vs Arsenal], but he's absolutely fine,' our head coach confirmed to the media. 'He's looking really good, and I think you can see how we've managed him in recent weeks. So yes, Cole's absolutely fine to start the game on Wednesday and Reece [James] is also fine."
Analysis: Palmer has now played in two straight games after a recent injury and had been feared to have suffered an injury when coming off Sunday. However, he has avoided any issues and was only being slightly managed, set to play through the rest of the busy week. He should remain in his starting role moving forward, as he is one of the elite attackers in the league, with his last goal contribution coming two appearances ago.
Four shots without a goal in draw
Palmer recorded four shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Burnley.
Analysis: Palmer took four shots but was unable to score against Burnley, who held out until the last minute and scored a late equaliser against the 10 men of Chelsea. Palmer had scored four goals in his last two Premier League games and also provided an assist. He was only able to put one of his four shots on target. When he has taken four shots in a game this season, he has failed to score on the two occasions. This was also the sixth time this year that he has been abel to create two or more chances and the fourth time in the Premier League.
Managing minutes
Palmer is an option for Sunday's match against Burnley after missing their FA Cup match against Hull City on Feb. 13, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "With Cole, it's based on day by day. At the moment, he is fully fit and available for selection. He trained really well today."
Analysis: Palmer was not with the club as they took the field for FA Cup action, but he is already ready to return, only managing his minutes and missing out due to that reason. That said, the attacker will likely return to a starting role immediately, starting in his past three appearances and having four goals and one assist during that time. He is up to eight goals and one assist this season, far behind the 23 goal contributions he earned last campaign.
Assists, Scores pk in draw
Palmer scored one goal and assisted once from five shots and four chances created in Tuesday's 2-2 draw versus Leeds United. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 67th minute.
Analysis: Palmer recorded what ended up being a crucial penalty kick goal against Leeds, adding to his one assist, four key passes, two shots on target and a tackle won on Tuesday. In just the last two PL games, he's scored four goals with one assist, recording five shots on target, four key passes and making three successful dribbles.
Hat-tirck at Wolves
Palmer scored three goals to go with three shots (three on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton.
Analysis: Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick as he helped Chelsea to a 3-1 win at Wolves. The first two goals came from the penalty spot, both of which were penalties won by Joao Pedro. The third goal came from a well-worked pull-back from Marc Cucurella to make it 3-0. The midfielder has scored seven goals now in only 910 minutes in the Premier League, while he has also scored once and provided two assists from 135 minutes in the Champions League.
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