Alonso 'very happy' with Palmer at Chelsea despite his England snub

Xabi Alonso says Chelsea are "very happy" with Cole Palmer, after the midfielder was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad.

Chelsea will travel to Sunderland in their final game before the international break, with Palmer expected to play a big role as the Blues continue to build some momentum.

He has netted three goals and registered three assists in nine Premier League games so far this season, including scoring a penalty in their 2-0 win over Manchester United last time out.

Given his return to form, many expected Palmer to be back in the England squad, but Tuchel said he "misses too many opportunities to play for his country".

Alonso, however, has been impressed with the 24-year-old's form this term and backs him as a key player.

"We are very happy with Cole," Alonso said. "I think he is enjoying his game; he is connecting very well with the other attackers.

"He is helping the team and helping the team with developing and improving what we want and what we want to achieve, knowing that everything takes time, but I am very happy with his quality, his attitude and the impact he is having on the rest of the team.

"He needs to focus on his thing – and his thing is to play good football and enjoy his game with us, with Chelsea."

They face bottom-side Sunderland, who have failed to win any of their last seven Premier League games.

The Black Cats also suffered their first Europa League defeat on Thursday, going down 2-0 to Dinamo Zagreb, piling the pressure on Regis Le Bris.

Sunderland's last meeting with Chelsea was on the last day of the 2025-26 campaign, when they earned a 2-1 win that secured their European place at the Blues' expense.

And Le Bris believes it is possible for his side to rediscover last season's form after their tough run.

"We have done it before with more or less the same squad, so it is possible," he said.

"We have had many conversations with our leadership group. They are important because they will show the way.

"I will show the way and the club will, but inside the dressing room our leader set the tone with their mood, ability to address problems, stick together and show the foundations to get better.

"They are doing their job, but now it is a question of the levels. They are trying their best."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland – Enzo Le Fee

Of players to score at least five goals for Sunderland in the Premier League, Enzo Le Fee has scored the highest percentage of his goals via the penalty spot (71% – 5/7).

Indeed, only Kevin Phillips (10), Darren Bent (eight) and Jermain Defoe (six) have more penalty goals for the Black Cats.

Chelsea – Morgan Rogers

Palmer and Morgan Rogers have created 14 chances for each other in the Premier League – five more than any other duo.

Rogers' 10 chances created for Palmer are more than any other duo have combined for in total.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN

Sunderland have won three of their last five Premier League games against Chelsea (L2), winning more points in that run than they did in their previous 23 against them (eight – W2 D2 L19).

Indeed, Chelsea have lost their last two top-flight matches against Sunderland, last losing three in a row between December 1999 and March 2001.

However, since October, Chelsea have won three of their last four Premier League games (L1), as many as in their previous 14 combined (W3 D2 L9).

All three wins have been by two or more goals, only one fewer than they managed between January and September (four).

Sunderland have lost five of their last six league matches (D1), more than in their previous 14 matches combined (W6 D4 L4), while no side has failed to score in more Premier League home games in 2026 than them (eight), having failed to score in any of their last three.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sunderland – 31.2%

Draw – 25.1%

Chelsea – 43.7%