Mauricio Pochettino was told by his staff Cole Palmer will adapt quickly at Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino explains how his first interaction was with new signing Cole Palmer when the England international joined Chelsea from Manchester City last summer window.
The Argentine manager was informed Palmer looks like a Brazilian or Argentinian and was told he has all the attributes to adapt quickly in the league. And now, since joining the club, Palmer has scored 10 goals and assisted six.
Palmer, who joined Chelsea at age 21, is now our most key player. He has demonstrated a high level of maturity, and if he keeps up this kind of performance, he will become our next big sensation. He will once again face his former side, on Saturday evening.
Working under Pochettino has given him confidence and freedom, who reveals his first meeting with the 21-year-old. Speaking to the media ahead of the City game, the 51-year-old said, quoted by Fabrizio Romano:
“I remember when we signed him, one staff person in the club said to me: he’s from Manchester, but he looks Brazilian/Argentinian; he has the capacity to adapt so quick. He arrived and adapted very quickly.”
He trained under Guardiola, who gave him all the tools he needed to become a top player. However, he hardly got any playing time due to several competition; coming here, he made the right choice. He put into practice the techniques he learned from the Spanish manager and is doing well here.
Pochettino also has a great background in developing young players, but a talent like Palmer needs the backing and trust of a manager, which he didn’t get at City, while the former Southampton head coach showed his faith in him and didn’t disappoint.
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Palmer has already surpassed expectations in his debut season as a Chelsea player, and he will continue to do so since Pochettino is familiar with Palmer’s abilities on the pitch, which is a significant benefit.