Mauricio Pochettino feels Cole Palmer still needs to settle at Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that summer signing Cole Palmer is young and still needs to settle at Chelsea after the attacker produced a game-winning assist to Nicolas Jackson in the Carabao Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 21-year-old was acquired from Manchester City during the closing stage of the summer window for £42.5 million and has already received praise for his display. While still young, he is a talented individual capable of achieving much in his career.
However, the U21 England international has largely played as a substitute. But this time Palmer was in the starting line-up in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and gave every reason to Pochettino that he should be starting the next game.
The former Manchester City star will be hoping to start the Blues’ next game against Fulham on Monday. When asked by Pochettino in a post-match press conference if he would start Palmer in their next game, (h/t Football.London) he said:
“I think, like all of the team, I think the team was really good. If we assess all of the players, I think we are at a very good level. Cole is a very talented player; he was key to this victory tonight. Still young, he still needs to settle into the club—not only the team but also the club and the city. I think we saw today how good he is.”
While most Premier League teams rotate heavily in the League Cup, the same cannot be said of top flight fixtures. Fulham are a dogged side and unless Palmer is ready, he is unlikely to be ready to compete on the front foot.
Palmer was extraordinary against Brighton, and the connection with Nicolas Jackson shows that he is the one who can provide Jackson with opportunities to score goals. Given that Raheem Sterling hasn’t been playing at his best lately and Noni Madueke isn’t available, the Argentine boss will be prudent to give Palmer another chance to maintain his purple patch.
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We have acquired an incredible talent in Palmer, and once he has transitioned well into Pochettino’s system and his performances are testament to it. Besides being a creator, Palmer also has an eye for goal, although he hasn’t shown at Chelsea but once he starts each game we will surely see that too.