The eve of the new Premier League season is just around the corner, with his former side Manchester City visiting us on opening day, and our No.20 has a beaming smile on his face as he interacts with his teammates in the canteen.

While this is a usual sight at Cobham, today’s greetings carry that little bit more weight as they come fresh off the back of him signing a new long-term contract with Chelsea, the place Cole says feels like home.

Palmer heads in our direction and pulls out a chair. Having kindly freed space in his busy diary, he sits down ready to chat through his new deal. With that broad smile still on his face, it’s clear he is delighted to add ink to his contract – he says as much in his first answer to our questions…

‘I’m buzzing about the new contract, as you can probably tell!’ Cole tells us above the busy noise of the Cobham canteen. ‘The smile hasn’t left my face and I’m just really happy about it.

‘Since the first day I walked in the building, I’ve felt really good here. I’ve felt settled and now to know I’m going to be at Chelsea for a long time means a lot to me.

‘Everyone knows it was a big move for me when I came last summer. I’d been at one place all my life, but I wanted to have a new experience, I can look back at it now and know it was the right decision. I’m happy I made the move and I’m just loving life here at Chelsea.

‘The season just gone, for me personally, was amazing. I felt trusted in the team and I really enjoyed playing. It makes me excited for the season ahead and I think collectively, we can do some really good things this year.’

The new Premier League campaign starts in earnest on Sunday, with the England international eager to pick up from where he left off last season.

After finishing as our top goalscorer and landing our Player of the Year award, Cole then shone on the international stage, scoring in the European Championship final as England were narrowly defeated by Marc Cucurella’s Spain.

But that’s in the past. What comes next is Cole’s focus and he is hoping for a another strong season, this time under our new head coach – and man he knows well – Enzo Maresca.

‘I’m really excited for the season now,’ Palmer explains. ‘I always get that buzz when the Premier League starts again and we’re heading into the new season in great spirits. We’ve got an exciting manager, an exciting team, and I’m just really looking forward to getting underway.

‘We’ve got a really talented young squad. It’s exciting to be a part of. We’ve got good players and that’s what you want, to be around good players to help you develop.

‘I’ve known the gaffer for a few years and it’s great to work with him again. He’s an amazing coach and he goes into so much detail, so I think it can only benefit us as a team. He’s a great guy as well, so I’m really looking forward to working with him.’

Before Cole heads off, we ask if there is anything else he wants to mention before we end the interview. Quick as a flash, he says there is…

‘Yeah, I want to say a few words on the fans because they’ve been great with me and it hasn’t gone unnoticed,’ Palmer says. ‘I just want to say thank you to all the fans for the love and support they’ve shown me, ever since I first walked through the door when I signed.

‘I hope we can have a great season and create many more memories together in the years to come!’

That we do, Cole. That we do!