Cole Palmer
CHE
Right Winger
Attacking Midfielder
Half-Space Orchestrator
May 6, 2002 (24)
Left
6'1"
168 lb
Dealing with recurring injury issues
Palmer (undisclosed) has withdrawn from England duty as he continues to deal with injury issues, according to coach Thomas Tuchel, per Henry Winter. "He misses too many opportunities, he misses way too many camps with injuries. It's not his fault. I can only judge what I witness in my team. For that you have to be in camp. If you are not in camp there is a next level you cannot achieve unless you do it in my team. My understanding is that he is playing with discomfort and pain, and he cannot compete at the highest level with discomfort and pain. So he withdrew and informed us."
Analysis: Palmer's withdrawal will allow him to remain with Chelsea and manage his fitness after playing the full 90 minutes in the recent 3-0 loss to Brentford. The attacking midfielder has still enjoyed a productive start to the campaign, recording four goals and two assists across seven appearances in all competitions. However, his recurring fitness issues have continued to interrupt his availability for England, with manager Thomas Tuchel emphasizing the importance of being consistently present in camp.
Withdraws from England squad
Palmer (undisclosed) withdraws from England's squad due to muscle load management, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Analysis: Palmer had played the entirety of Chelsea's recent 3-0 loss to Brentford before this decision to sit out the international break, part of a strong season so far that includes four goals and two assists in seven appearances across all competitions. His withdrawal comes after his recall to the squad had marked a significant return following his omission from the World Cup, with coach Xabi Alonso previously expressing confidence that the injury troubles that hampered his 2025/26 campaign were now behind him.
Makes return in England squad
Palmer returns to the England squad for international duty, having missed the World Cup after coach Thomas Tuchel did not select him ahead of the summer.
Analysis: Palmer is enjoying a fine start to the season with Chelsea, providing an assist in the recent draw with Hull City while creating three chances and taking three shots in that match, part of a run that has seen him produce at least three shots and one chance created in each of the opening four matches, totaling 15 shots and nine chances created. Palmer now has two goals and two assists in the Premier League this campaign and this call up now marks a significant return to the international fold after that difficult omission from the World Cup squad.
Sets up equalizer
Palmer assisted once to go with three shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Hull City.
Analysis: Palmer dragged Chelsea back into the game against Hull with the assist for the equaliser and was at the heart of their attacking play throughout. Six of the 12 shots his side managed came through him, three taken and three created, and he was denied when his pass sent Morgan Rogers clean through in the 84th minute, only for the goalkeeper to deny him. The forward is enjoying a fine start to the campaign in a side set up to attack, with at least three shots and at least one chance created in each of the opening four matches, bringing him to 15 shots and nine chances created.
Records two shots on target
Palmer recorded three shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 defeat versus Arsenal. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 45th minute.
Analysis: Palmer remained active despite failing to contribute to a goal Sunday, putting two of his three attempts on target while creating one chance. The attacker has started the season strongly with two goals and one assist across three Premier League appearances, while attempting at least three shots in each match. His consistent shooting volume and involvement in Chelsea's attacking play should continue to provide opportunities for further production.
Scores in win over Brighton
Palmer scored one goal to go with four shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 4-3 win versus Brighton.
Analysis: Palmer restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage with a strike from outside the box after earlier missing a close-range opportunity. He remained heavily involved in the final third, finishing with four shots and two chances created across 90 minutes. Palmer has now produced two goals and one assist through two Premier League appearances this season, maintaining his role as one of Chelsea's primary attacking threats and offering consistent production through both his finishing and creativity.
Shines in season opener
Palmer scored one goal and assisted once from five shots and three chances created in Monday's 3-2 win versus Fulham.
Analysis: Palmer, who is coming off a down season, began the 2026-27 campaign on fire. 31 seconds into the season opener he assisted Joao Pedro's goal, then Pedro returned the favor in the 49th minute with an assist on Palmer's goal. Palmer deserved both of those goal contributions and easily could have had more thanks to his five shots and three chances created. The Chelsea attack looked potent and in sync despite it being the first competitive match of the season, and Palmer was at the center of it. He was subbed off the pitch in the 83rd minute for Estevao.
Makes 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.
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