Chelsea have tied attacking midfielder Cole Palmer to a new long-term contract that keeps the England international at Stamford Bridge until 2034, the Premier League club confirmed on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been a central figure since arriving from Manchester City in 2023, scoring 91 goals in 138 appearances across all competitions. He was also part of the squad that lifted the Club World Cup in 2025 and the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League.
Palmer cites backing from club leadership
Palmer said that the support he received from the owners, the sporting directors and the manager gave him the confidence to commit his future to Chelsea. He added that his teammates share the same goals, and he believes the club can keep winning major trophies.
The announcement follows a wave of similar agreements. Forward Joao Pedro recently signed a deal running through 2034, while winger Pedro Neto agreed a six-year contract last month. Chelsea have also secured long-term terms with several other first-team players and promising young talent.
Alonso defends Palmer’s commitment to England
On Friday, manager Xabi Alonso insisted Palmer remains committed to representing England, despite criticism over his absence from the recent international break because of injury. Palmer had been left out of England’s World Cup squad this year after a stubborn groin problem hurt his form.
Thomas Tuchel later named him for Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia, but Palmer had to withdraw after the problem returned. Tuchel said the midfielder was passing up too many chances to represent England.
Alonso stressed that full fitness matters most, pointing to visible struggles in the Brentford game when Palmer was not right physically. He said the player now feels better and that the next two weeks would be used for his recovery from the groin injury, known as pubalgia. Alonso added that both the club and the national team need him.
Chelsea, who sit 10th in the Premier League table, host 17th-placed Bournemouth later on Saturday.
