{"id":1551,"date":"2026-08-18T23:11:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T23:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1551"},"modified":"2026-08-18T23:11:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T23:11:38","slug":"xabi-alonso-hints-at-using-cole-palmer-in-surprise-position-at-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1551","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso hints at using Cole Palmer in surprise position at Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


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One of Xabi Alonso\u2019s main tasks at Chelsea this season will be helping Cole Palmer rediscover his best form again.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Palmer<\/a> had a disappointing 2025\/26 campaign, which culminated with the attacking midfielder missing out on England\u2019s World Cup<\/a> squad.<\/p>\n

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It will now be interesting to see how Alonso<\/a> uses Palmer and what he plans to do to get the best out of him.<\/p>\n

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Xabi Alonso ready to use Cole Palmer as a No.8<\/h2>\n

At Chelsea<\/a>, Palmer has mostly played as a No.10 and right winger. However, Alonso has hinted that he could use Palmer or Morgan Rogers as a No.8 this season.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Men in Blazers<\/a>, the new Chelsea manager said: \u201cBoth of them can be No.10, both of them can be No.8s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last term, Palmer scored just 10 goals in 26 Premier League<\/a> appearances. The 24-year-old did have an ongoing groin injury, but he has recovered from that and is fully fit again.<\/p>\n

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Despite a disappointing 2025\/26 campaign and missing the World Cup, Palmer has been in good spirits<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alonso will now be looking towards the likes of Palmer and Rogers when Chelsea take on Fulham in their Premier League opener next Monday.<\/p>\n

The Spaniard will be eager to get off to a good start in the dugout and has a great chance of doing that if Palmer and Rogers can deliver.<\/p>\n

Where Cole Palmer is likely to play under Xabi Alonso<\/h2>\n

Palmer is a versatile player and Alonso is a flexible coach. With that in mind, you can expect Alonso to use the Englishman in more than one position.<\/p>\n

However, everything is pointing towards Palmer starting on the right side of a three-man attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation.<\/p>\n

If Alonso uses a 4-2-3-1 set-up, the England international is more likely to start as a No.10.<\/p>\n

Wherever Palmer plays, we just want to see him on the ball and doing damage like in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge<\/a>. That Palmer can get Chelsea back into the Champions League<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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