Xabi Alonso believes Cole Palmer has put his injury worries behind him and is a world-class player when at his best.
The 24-year-old was hampered by injury problems last season, most notably a groin issue which he had to manage.
Palmer was limited to 26 Premier League appearances as a result, scoring 10 goals, but missing out on England’s World Cup squad at the end of the season.
New manager Alonso is hoping the creative force can return to his best form this season and reckons he is in the physical condition to do so.
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‘Yes,’ Alonso said on whether Palmer’s injury problems are behind him. ‘I think that sometimes you need to go through a difficult moment with an injury or whatever to learn from that.
‘I think that Cole has gone through a difficult period with the injury, and now he’s working really hard to have the prevention not to have to feel those symptoms.
‘Since the first day, he’s been working really hard to avoid that.’
Chelsea get their season underway on Monday night at Fulham, where Palmer is expected to line up alongside summer signing Morgan Rogers behind Joao Pedro.
Alonso has high hopes of the former Manchester City star and has been impressed by his attitude.
‘Cole is determined to enjoy his football,’ said the former midfielder.
‘He wants to be fit. He wants to feel healthy. He wants to have a good connection with the players around him. And I’ve said that if we have this Cole and we are able to reach him and he feels that flow in the game and that he connects well with the players, I’m sure that his level is top-class, world-class I would say, and that he will have a great season.’
The Spaniard added on Palmer and what it has been like to work with him so far: ‘Different players need different connections and Cole, for sure, he’s very analytical. I think that he’s smart.
‘You need to give him his space to connect, but I’m really enjoying it because he’s top-talented and with little, he understands a lot so it’s been very interesting.’
Alonso will be without the suspended Wesley Fofana at Fulham, while Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are not fit.