---
title: "Chelsea star Cole Palmer delivers blunt message after Fulham victory"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/25/chelsea-star-cole-palmer-delivers-blunt-message-after-fulham-victory/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2026-08-25T05:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T18:12:42Z"
---

# Chelsea star Cole Palmer delivers blunt message after Fulham victory

**Cole Palmer declared himself “ready and hungry” after producing a goal and an assist in Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over [Fulham](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/22/chelsea-predicted-xi-vs-fulham-as-alonso-makes-enzo-james-call/), delivering a typically confident response when asked about his preparations for the new season.**

The England international endured an injury-disrupted campaign last year and missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. However, his performance at Craven Cottage suggested Chelsea’s No.10 has returned refreshed under [Xabi Alonso](https://readchelsea.com/tag/xabi-alonso/).

Asked by Sky Sports how ready he felt for the season, Palmer replied: “Did you not watch the game? I’m only joking. I’m ready.”

> Cole Palmer asked by Sky, "How ready are you for this season?"\
> \
> Palmer: "Did you not watch the game?! … "I'm ready and I'm hungry" [pic.twitter.com/67kf0Bk5FK](https://t.co/67kf0Bk5FK)
>
> — Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) [August 24, 2026](https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2091996543905571209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Cole Palmer explains Chelsea revival after difficult season

Palmer revealed he spent the summer working on preventing further injury problems and rebuilding his fitness after a frustrating 2025/26 campaign.

The Chelsea attacker said he had trained particularly hard since returning for pre-season, adding: “I know the talent I’ve got so I can put in performances like that.”

Palmer also admitted he feels unusually motivated following his summer away from international football.

“I’m ready and I’m hungry,” he said.

His response supported [Xabi Alonso’s encouraging update on Palmer’s fitness before the Fulham match](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/23/xabi-alonso-delivers-cole-palmer-fitness-update-before-fulham/), with the Chelsea head coach confident his playmaker was ready for competitive action.

Palmer needed just 31 seconds to create Chelsea’s opening goal, releasing Joao Pedro behind the Fulham defence. [Chelsea’s official match report details how he later finished another flowing move](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/match-report-fulham-chelsea-aug-26) involving Pedro and [Morgan Rogers](https://readchelsea.com/tag/morgan-rogers/) to make it 3-1.

## Morgan Rogers hails Palmer after Chelsea victory

Rogers also enjoyed a memorable evening, [marking his competitive Chelsea debut with a goal against Fulham](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/24/chelseas-117m-morgan-rogers-scores-debut-goal-against-fulham-watch/).

Afterwards, the £117million signing described Palmer as “the best player on the pitch by a mile”, according to [FotMob’s post-match report](https://www.fotmob.com/news/1htlxfzmfa6801xhpnwpyytq2c-alonso-lauds-special-chelsea-attack-after-opening-day-win-at-fulham).

Palmer said playing alongside his close friend at the highest level felt surreal, with their immediate understanding supporting [Alonso’s pre-match explanation of how Palmer and Rogers can operate together](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/24/chelsea-boss-explains-cole-palmer-and-morgan-rogers-plan-before-fulham/).

All three members of Chelsea’s attacking unit scored at Craven Cottage. For Palmer, however, the performance carried an additional message after months of questions about his fitness and form.