Cole Palmer has signed a new contract with Chelsea that runs until 2034, improving on the deal that already tied him to the club until 2033. The England international, 24, is being rewarded for his performances as one of Chelsea’s key attacking players, and he is increasingly seen as a leader in the dressing room.
The renewal leaves Palmer on one of the longest contracts in the Premier League. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Chelsea team-mates Joao Pedro and Geovany Quenda are also contracted until 2034.
“Chelsea means a lot to me and I think the club is going in the right direction, so I’m delighted to sign and I’m obviously very happy,” said Palmer.
“Speaking to the owners, to the sporting directors and obviously the manager, they gave me a lot of confidence so it was only right to sign.”
He added: “Speaking to players as well, everyone has the same ambitions. I feel like we win major trophies here consistently and I want to be a part of that and play a big role in it too.”
A series of extensions
Palmer signed his previous contract only two years ago, after joining from Manchester City for a fee of £42.5m in 2023. The new deal is the latest in a run of extensions at Chelsea designed to reward established and emerging players while keeping the club’s wage structure in check.
Joao Pedro signed a new contract until 2034 in August, and Pedro Neto agreed a new six-year deal last month.
Palmer has built a strong understanding with the Brazil forward. Early in the season, under head coach Xabi Alonso, he also rekindled his on-pitch partnership with his “best friend in football”, Morgan Rogers. Palmer was one of the few people aware of Chelsea’s talks to sign Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m fee this summer.
Form and fitness
Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven matches this season, a return to form after a niggling groin problem disrupted his previous campaign. He admitted he had played through the issue even though he “probably shouldn’t have done”. His lack of availability led to his omission from England’s World Cup squad over the summer, after he had sought specialist advice on whether surgery was required.
He has played more minutes than any Chelsea player this season but missed England’s recent international break. Thomas Tuchel said Palmer “misses too many opportunities”.
Alonso’s update
Alonso confirmed Palmer is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Bournemouth. He also insisted the player remains committed to representing England.
“Absolutely. He’s committed, but he needs to be fully fit to play,” Alonso said. “And when he’s fully fit, he will enjoy his minutes. We need him in that moment. The club and the national team.
“He trained over the past week and has been feeling better, but we didn’t want to rush him.”
Chelsea are 10th in the table after five matches and have conceded 12 goals.
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