'Lost a bit of interest' - John Obi Mikel explains Cole Palmer's indifferent season at Chelsea but backs Xabi Alonso to 'get best out of him'
Updated 05/06/2026 at 16:55 GMT+1
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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel insists that Cole Palmer is not a "one-season wonder" and believes that his new manager, Xabi Alonso, can get the attacker back to his best.
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Palmer enjoyed a sensational start to his Stamford Bridge career following a big-money move from Manchester City, but he failed to make England’s FIFA World Cup squad after an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign.
The 24-year-old produced an underwhelming 10 goals and one assist in 26 Premier League appearances as his side failed to qualify for Europe.
Xabi Alonso has been brought in to turn things around for the west London club, and Mikel says the Spaniard has what it takes to get Palmer firing again.
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"I think a lot of people are now calling him a one-season wonder, but I think Cole is more than that," he told TNT Sports.
"He has got a lot of qualities, a lot of abilities, and I just think that with what has happened at the club for the last two seasons, you can see that he has lost a bit of interest.
"I see that when he plays, I think now he has got a manager who can put his arm around him and get the best out of him.
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"I think that is what he needs, he is 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.
"Let's build the team around Cole, I have said it so many times, he needs to play in his No. 10 position. Don't play Cole wide or wide left, I don't like that.
"To bring the best out of Cole Palmer, he needs to play as a No. 10, so let's hope Xabi Alonso can do that and get the best out of him."
Chelsea started the 2025/26 season with Enzo Maresca at the helm, but he parted company with the club in January after a difficult run of results.
Maresca was replaced by Liam Rosenior, who had excelled at Chelsea’s BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, but things went from bad to worse as they plummeted down the table.
Rosenior was removed before the end of the season, with The Blues finishing in 10th place, but Mikel has backed Alonso to get the best out of a young squad.
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"I think we have got a top manager now," he said. "I think Xabi Alonso is a young, talented manager.
"He will bring out the best in this young team, but he needs time as well. We need to give him time.
"Let's see what happens. I do think the model did not work at all, and I am glad to see that the owners are now trying to change it. Hopefully, we can get back to who we are."
Chelsea have been accused of having a erratic transfer strategy in recent years, signing expensive young players on long-term deals but refusing to invest in established names.
Mikel believes that Chelsea must find a better blend between youth and experience moving forward.
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"What's gone wrong? Everything," he added. "I think, obviously, the model of recruitment from the owners has not worked, the system has not worked, and we can all see it.
"I think we are, who we are, getting all those young players and bringing some experience into the team.
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"Mixing the team up with youth and experience, I think that is what we need. We need that, we need the young players to learn from the top players.
"Obviously, we need characters, and we need leaders in the team. That is what we do not have right now, so hopefully the owners can do that this summer, bring in some top-quality players.”
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