Chelsea star Cole Palmer confirmed that he has something to prove this season after being excluded from the England national team squad for the 2026 World Cup, while praising his new coach Xabi Alonso at the same time.
Palmer was one of the most prominent players excluded from the list of the German coach Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup, despite the big role he played in England's journey to the Euro 2024 final.
Palmer said in a press conference during Chelsea's preparatory tour for the new season in Sydney: "It's like any other situation, when someone tells you in one way or another that you're not good enough to enter the squad".
He added: "In this case, you say (well, and I will work harder)".
Despite the bitterness of the absence from England's campaign that ended in third place, Palmer benefited from a seven-week summer vacation, which made him feel "refreshed" and excited to return to competitions.
Palmer continued: "Xabi and his technical staff are wonderful, they are like a new breath for us as players through their ideas and style, so we are enjoying it".
At the conclusion of his statements, Palmer expressed his happiness with Chelsea's signing of attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, as the two players are linked by a strong friendship.
He concluded: "Everyone knows how good he is, and clearly he is one of my best friends, so I am very happy about this matter. I think we are two different players, he is stronger than me physically, whether with the ball or without it, and he loves to drive forward with it".
