John Obi Mikel Backs Xabi Alonso to Unlock Cole Palmer’s Form Again at Chelsea

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has backed new manager Xabi Alonso to help revive the form of Cole Palmer after a difficult spell for the attacking midfielder.

Palmer enjoyed a breakout first season in West London, quickly establishing himself as one of Chelsea’s most influential players. However, his performances have dipped over the past two seasons, with injuries and inconsistency affecting his rhythm. His decline in form also contributed to him missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Mikel defended the young midfielder, insisting that he is far more than a “one-season wonder” despite recent criticism.

He said to TNT Sports: “Listen, we all love Cole. I think Cole is fantastic, he’s a great player. I think a lot of people now are calling him ‘one season wonder’, but I think Cole is more than that.

“He’s got a lot of qualities. A lot of abilities, and I just think what has happened in the club for the last two seasons, you can see that he’s lost a bit of interest. I see that when he plays.

“I think now he’s got a manager that can put his arm around him and gets the best out of him. I think that’s what he needs. He’s our top player, our main man, and we should treat him that way.

“If we can get him to start playing well again, I think the team will start playing well, so let’s build the team around Cole.”