'He's committed' - Chelsea's Alonso defends Cole Palmer over England withdrawal
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has defended Cole Palmer's commitment to England after the forward withdrew from the national squad with a recurring groin injury.
'I'm delighted to sign' - Cole Palmer commits to Chelsea until 2034
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell since joining from Manchester City in 2023, helping Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Palmer said he was happy to extend his stay, believing the club are moving in the right direction.
"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," he said.
The attacking midfielder revealed that discussions with the club's owners, sporting directors and manager had given him the confidence to commit his future to Chelsea.
"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," Palmer added.
He also highlighted the ambition within the squad and his desire to play a leading role in bringing more silverware to Stamford Bridge.
"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," he said.
Chelsea face Bournemouth in their next Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Palmer committing his long-term future to the club.
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