Tottenham Hotspur will face Chelsea in a pre-season friendly, but the Blues' Cole Palmer is focused on his fitness after a troublesome 2025-26 season. The England international played nearly the entirety of last season with a troublesome groin problem that prevented him from being at his best throughout. Palmer spoke to reporters at a press conference ahead of their pre-season friendly clash against Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney.
What happened?
Cole Palmer has provided an update on his fitness following an injury-riddled 2025-26 season with the club. The attacking midfielder was asked about his injury, and he explained that it limited him significantly, but he has benefited from having seven weeks of rest this summer.
Why it matters for Tottenham Hotspur
Palmer's fitness is crucial for Chelsea's chances in the new season, but it also means that Tottenham Hotspur will face a more confident and healthy opponent in their pre-season friendly.
What comes next?
Tottenham Hotspur will face Chelsea in a pre-season friendly, and it will be interesting to see how Palmer's fitness affects the game. The team is currently 17th in the Premier League, with 41 points from 38 games, and a goal difference of -9. They are 44 points behind leaders Arsenal and have 48 goals scored and 57 conceded this season. Wilson Odobert is currently sidelined.
Cole Palmer was in fine form as he helped Chelsea to win the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, scoring twice in the final and claiming the tournament's Golden Ball. The Englishman's struggles with injuries began in the opening weeks of the season and continued until well into the second half of the season, as the Blues struggled. Palmer's form continued to dwindle throughout the season along with his fitness, and he managed only 11 goals and three assists for the Blues. He failed to make it into Thomas Tuchel's squad to the FIFA World Cup, affording him some much-needed rest ahead of the new season. He featured as a substitute in the Blues' 6-4 pre-season win over Western Sydney Wanderers earlier this week, playing for around 30 minutes. He provided an assist for Joao Pedro as he looked to build up his fitness ahead of the season.
Cole Palmer predicts big Chelsea future for Nicoll-Jazuli Chelsea ace Cole Palmer has predicted a big future for 16-year-old midfielder Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli after his pre-season debut. The England U-17 international made an appearance off the bench in the city of his birth as the Blues took on Western Sydney Wanderers. Palmer revealed during his press conference that the youngster has every quality required to make it at the club. He pointed out that the young midfielder is ready to play a part for the team this season, if called upon. Nicoll-Jazuli is one of two 16-year-olds in Xabi Alonso's pre-season squad and has caught the eye of the manager. The teenager has signed scholarship terms with the club this summer and will transition to a professional contract once he turns 17 in January.
