Cole Palmer credits Xabi Alonso for freeing his game at Chelsea | OneFootball

Cole Palmer said Xabi Alonso has given him 'more freedom' at Chelsea after he scored in Monday's 3-2 win over Fulham, telling Sky Sports.

"Just like you saw with the goal I scored. Last season, I wouldn't have even made that run because it's not a 'safe zone'."

The 24-year-old was Chelsea's standout, registering five shots, completing five dribbles, winning 10 duels and taking nine touches in the opposition box.

"He's saying 'move across that zone, drop into play, come get on the ball, create and just do what you do'."

"Before my groin injury, I'd never really been injured. Well, rarely [injured]. So then I would just come back and play when I shouldn't have played."

"It was just a bit of a sticky situation. I was just seeing different people, getting different ideas of why I was injured and what it was."

"Since I've come back I've been working every day to obviously stop it happening again. I just want to stay injury free, and if I'm on the pitch then I know what I can do. Physically I feel good, probably the best I've felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes."

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”