Alonso Says Palmer Fit for Bournemouth After England Withdrawal

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said Cole Palmer is fit and available for Saturday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth, while insisting the forward remains committed to England after withdrawing from the national squad with a groin issue. Alonso said Palmer’s recent discomfort was related to pubalgia, a condition that affected him last season. Chelsea used the first two weeks of the international break to allow him to recover, and he had trained during the week before the Bournemouth match. Alonso said Palmer was feeling better and that the club had not wanted to rush him back. Thomas Tuchel had criticized Palmer’s withdrawal, saying the player missed too many England camps and opportunities. Alonso defended Chelsea’s decision to prioritize recovery, saying Palmer would not have been able to play as he wanted and that waiting until he felt better was the right approach. Tuchel also questioned whether Palmer wanted to be part of the England squad, according to reports of his comments. Alonso said Palmer was committed to representing England but needed to be fully fit for club and country.