Cole Palmer Redemption Season: Can He Become FPL Essential Again?

Cole Palmer begins 2026/27 at £9.5m after an injury-hit season produced 114 FPL points.

That total was exactly 100 points below his 214-point 2024/25 campaign.

It was also far below the 244 points he scored in 2023/24, when he became the highest-scoring player in FPL.

The new price creates a clear question:

Was last season a permanent decline or an interruption before a major rebound?

Palmer's recent FPL record

Two 200-point seasons provide a much stronger sample than one disrupted campaign.

Why last season went wrong

Palmer's decline came through a combination of:

• Injuries
• Reduced availability
• Tactical changes
• Fewer consistent creative returns
• Periods with limited big-chance creation
• A changing Chelsea attack

The official Scout noted an improvement late in the season, including a four-goal and one-assist burst across two Gameweeks.

That recovery was encouraging but not enough to restore the earlier total.

Why £9.5m is attractive

Palmer costs:

• £2.5m less than Bruno Fernandes
• £6.0m less than Haaland
• The same as Saka
• More than most mid-priced midfielders

He does not need to match Haaland's raw points to justify the price.

He needs to provide premium-midfielder output while the savings improve other squad positions.

Xabi Alonso's system

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso in July.

Alonso's preferred 3-4-2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen provides a possible central attacking role for Palmer behind João Pedro.

A central role can improve:

• Penalty-area touches
• Shots
• Through balls
• Big chances created
• Bonus points
• Captaincy ceiling

The formation is not guaranteed until Chelsea repeat it during pre-season.

Chelsea's attacking structure

Palmer competes and combines with:

• João Pedro
• Morgan Rogers
• Pedro Neto
• Estêvão
• Geovany Quenda
• Other forwards and wing-backs

The depth creates two opposite effects.

Positive

Better attackers can convert Palmer's chances and increase assists.

Negative

Chelsea can rotate more heavily and distribute attacking responsibility.

Palmer's penalty role and central importance should protect him more than most teammates.

Penalties and set pieces

Palmer remains Chelsea's leading penalty candidate.

The working hierarchy also includes Enzo and Estêvão behind him.

He may share:

• Direct free kicks
• Corners
• Indirect free kicks

Penalties are a major reason to select Palmer because they create high-value chances and bonus potential.

Chelsea's early fixtures

Chelsea start away to Fulham and then host Brighton.

They also host Hull City within the opening four Gameweeks.

Review the full schedule on OneFPL Fixtures.

No European club schedule

Chelsea are not among the nine Premier League clubs listed for UEFA competition in 2026/27.

That can reduce midweek rotation pressure compared with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and other European qualifiers.

Domestic cups still create rotation, but Palmer can receive cleaner league preparation.

Palmer versus Saka

Saka begins with Coventry at home, making him the stronger immediate Gameweek 1 option when both are equally fit.

Palmer may provide a better differential and later captaincy.

Palmer versus Bruno Fernandes

Bruno offers greater early security. Palmer offers the better price.

Palmer versus a mid-priced combination

The real decision may be:

Palmer + £6.0m midfielder

against:

Bruno + £4.5m bench midfielder

The complete squad comparison can make Palmer more valuable than a direct points comparison suggests.

Build both structures in the OneFPL Planner.

What would make Palmer essential again?

Palmer can return to essential status when:

1. He completes a full pre-season
2. He starts centrally
3. Penalties remain secure
4. He avoids recurring injury
5. Chelsea's attack improves
6. He regularly reaches 80 to 90 minutes
7. Ownership and captaincy rise around strong fixtures

What would make him a trap?

Warning signs include:

• Repeated wide positioning
• Early substitutions
• Lost penalties
• Reduced shots
• Heavy rotation
• New injury concerns
• Morgan Rogers becoming the main central creator

Best use in an opening squad

Palmer works best as:

• A second premium beside Bruno or Haaland
• A no-Haaland premium midfielder
• A Saka alternative
• A captain for strong Chelsea home fixtures
• A route to Chelsea penalties

He is not required when the squad already contains several expensive attackers and lacks secure budget players.

OneFPL verdict

Current status: Strong premium option, not yet essential.

The £9.5m price is attractive because Palmer has already produced 244 and 214-point seasons.

The central role under Alonso and reduced European rotation can support a rebound.

Saka and Bruno currently have stronger immediate fixture arguments, but Palmer can quickly become a priority when pre-season confirms fitness, penalties and central positioning.

FAQ

How much does Palmer cost?

£9.5m.

How many points did he score last season?

114.

Has Palmer scored more than 200 FPL points before?

Yes, in both 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Is he Chelsea's penalty taker?

He remains the leading candidate.

Palmer or Saka?

Saka has the stronger Gameweek 1 fixture. Palmer offers a lower-owned rebound opportunity at the same price.

Palmer or Bruno?

Bruno provides stronger recent output and opening fixtures. Palmer saves £2.5m.

Internal reading

• Gameweek 1 captain comparison
• Three Gameweek 1 drafts

Sources

• Official pre-season Palmer analysis
• Official FPL player list
• Official Palmer form analysis

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