Alonso: Palmer will be top-class for many years

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has welcomed Cole Palmer's new eight-year contract, saying the 24-year-old will be a "top-class player for many years" at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer signed the deal keeping him at Chelsea until 2034, and wasted no time making an impact — he started against Bournemouth on Saturday and assisted Jordan Henderson's goal in a 5-1 win.

"I am happy for him and very happy for the club as well, and I'm sure the fans are delighted we have Cole for many years," Alonso said after the match.

"We need to push him and help him and make sure these years have success. We are building and he is important in everything in that."

Alonso underlined the rationale behind securing Palmer on a long-term deal. "When a player is young, you want to keep the best ones for years. We believe that Cole is going to be a top-class player for many years, so the longer we ensure he is here, the better."

Palmer has developed into one of the Premier League's leading attacking players since joining Chelsea, earning recognition as a key figure in the club's current squad under Alonso.