Chelsea star Cole Palmer opens up on injury issues he struggled with last season | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has revealed he came close to undergoing surgery on the groin injury that disrupted his 2025/26 season.

The Blues playmaker also admitted that trying to return too soon only made things more difficult.

Chelsea are hoping to mark the start of a new era under new manager Xabi Alonso after their massively disappointing 10th-placed finish last season.

Palmer is expected to play a starring role for the West Londoners this season, if Alonso can get him back to his sparkling best.

Chelsea have done their part to try and build around Palmer, and their £117 million signing of the 24-year-old’s best friend Morgan Rogers reflects their ambition.

However, if the Blues are to be successful in Alonso’s debut campaign, the Spanish manager must find a way to get the England international firing on all cylinders.

The injury affected Palmer’s movement and sharpness, although he still managed to put up decent numbers, notching 11 goals and an assist in 34 games.

A combination of his form and fitness issues ultimately cost him a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.

But after enjoying a full summer break and taking time to recover properly, Palmer says he is feeling fit again and ready for the challenges of the new season.

“The first few months, with me being injured, I just wanted to go out and play, which I probably shouldn’t have done,” he said (via The Standard).

“Obviously I couldn’t 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’m ready to go again.

“I went to Sweden or Denmark, one of those countries, to see a doctor. We did speak about it. But I didn’t end up getting it.”

The 24-year-old is currently part of Alonso’s pre-season squad. He played in Chelsea’s 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers and featured in the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.