LONDON — Cole Palmer has signed a new Chelsea contract on improved terms until 2034, rewarding his emergence as one of the club's key attacking players. The 24-year-old England international, who was already under contract until 2033, has been involved in six goals in seven matches in the early part of the season, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
The deal leaves Palmer on one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Chelsea team-mates Joao Pedro and Geovany Quenda who are also contracted to 2034. Palmer signed his previous contract only two years ago after joining in a £42.5m move from Manchester City in 2023, while he was privy to Chelsea's club-record £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this summer. The renewal is the latest in a series of extensions designed to reward established and emerging players while maintaining the club's wage structure, after Joao Pedro signed until 2034 in August and Pedro Neto signed a new six-year contract last month.
Palmer is increasingly viewed as a dressing-room leader behind the scenes and has developed a strong understanding with Brazil forward Joao Pedro. He has also rekindled his on-pitch partnership with his "best friend in football", Morgan Rogers, during the early stages of Xabi Alonso's reign as manager. Chelsea have made Rogers a central part of their attacking rebuild.
It represents a return to form after a niggling groin issue throughout last season, when Palmer admitted he had played through the problem even though he "probably shouldn't have done". He sought specialist advice on whether surgery was required and his lack of availability ultimately led to his omission from England's World Cup squad over the summer. Palmer has played more minutes than any Chelsea player this season but missed England's recent international break, prompting Thomas Tuchel to say he "misses too many opportunities".
Alonso confirmed Palmer is expected to be available for Saturday's game against Bournemouth and insisted he remains committed to playing for 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." Alonso's side are 10th in the table after five matches, having conceded 12 goals.