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Cole Palmer’s strong performance in Chelsea’s pre-season fitness test has set the tone under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has introduced an intense training regime at Cobham to boost the team’s physical standards after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which the Blues lagged behind most Premier League sides in running statistics.

Alonso, who officially began his tenure this summer, has made it clear that fitness will be the cornerstone of his Chelsea project. The early sessions at Cobham have been described as physically demanding, with some observers comparing the intensity to that of former boss Mauricio Pochettino’s training style, according to BBC. Following a season that ended with Chelsea in 10th place, Alonso wants his players to match and surpass their rivals in energy and work rate.

To achieve this transformation, Alonso has assembled a dedicated backroom team, including fitness expert Ismael Camenforte Lopez, whose role is to maintain relentless tempo and focus during drills. While Alonso has spoken about instilling “soul, purpose, and good energy” into the squad, the early emphasis is unmistakably on conditioning before tactical fine-tuning begins during the club’s global pre-season tour.

Palmer has been a standout figure in the early stages of training. Despite nursing a persistent groin issue last season, he managed to finish second in a squad-wide bleep test at Cobham. The top spot went to young midfielder Reggie Walsh, with Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian completing the top three. Their strong showings highlight the youthful hunger Alonso is keen to channel into his new-look Chelsea.

Speaking about Palmer, Alonso said, “He wants to be fit. He wants to move past the injury problems he faced last year. He’s special, and if he’s happy and motivated, he can be an essential player for us. So far, so good.” The Spaniard has already identified Palmer as a central figure in his plans to guide Chelsea back into the Champions League.

In a notable shift from previous managerial structures, Alonso has been appointed as ‘manager’ rather than ‘head coach,’ reflecting his expanded authority within the club’s hierarchy. This distinction grants him greater influence over recruitment and sporting decisions, allowing him to collaborate directly with Chelsea’s five sporting directors. Alonso believes this structure will enable quicker and more strategic transfer activity.

Behind the scenes, the 42-year-old tactician has already held discussions with Enzo Fernandez regarding his role and future at the club, while also reaching out to new arrivals such as Marco Palestra to share his long-term vision. Alonso has praised the existing squad for its “strong base” but maintains that additional signings are essential to compete successfully in what he calls “the world’s toughest league.”

Alonso’s pre-season plans are aided by the early availability of many senior players, as several key figures did not advance deep into the recent World Cup. This has provided him with extra preparation time on the training ground before Chelsea embark on a challenging global tour. The Blues’ itinerary includes stops in Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Johor, where they will test themselves against top sides such as Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and AC Milan. The demanding travel schedule will serve as a rigorous test of the physical foundation Alonso’s staff are currently building in west London.