Cole Palmer asserts that under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance, he has undergone significant improvement as a player compared to his time at Manchester City. He emphasizes that the Chelsea manager has granted him greater autonomy on the field.
Palmer departed from City in a £45m transfer on the final day of the summer transfer window due to a lack of guarantees over playing time from Pep Guardiola. The 21-year-old Treble winner acknowledges his gratitude towards the champions for his development in their system, but expresses a strong desire for consistent playing time.
Guardiola dismissed the possibility of a loan, prompting Palmer to depart when Chelsea expressed their interest. He has achieved exceptional performance at Stamford Bridge, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists thus far in the season.
Palmer was awarded the Men’s Young Player of the Year at the 2024 London Football Awards on Thursday. This recognition was given to him for his achievements in the past year, including his debut for the senior England team in November.
He is the most successful player that Chelsea manager Pochettino has brought in. Pochettino has faced criticism for the slow improvement of the team at Stamford Bridge. The season was marked by a series of stuttering performances, which reached their peak in a Carabao Cup final loss to a young and inexperienced Liverpool team, raising concerns about the squad’s mentality.
Nevertheless, Palmer has supported the Argentine. When questioned by BBC Sport about whether Pochettino had improved his skills as a player, he responded affirmatively, stating that Pochettino has granted him the liberty to showcase his abilities. He further explained that he appreciates being given this freedom as it allows him to express himself more effectively.
“I am thoroughly enjoying it.” Each day, he engages in conversations with you about a variety of topics, encompassing not just football-related matters but also aspects of life. He possesses exceptional skills in creating a positive emotional experience and exerting efforts to extract the utmost potential from individuals.
