“He brings the good out of me” – Cole Palmer shares how Mauricio Pochettino has brought the best out of him

In a narrative brimming with accolades, Cole Palmer showers praise on Mauricio Pochettino’s unparalleled man-management skills, attributing the zenith of his performance to the Argentine’s astute guidance since joining Chelsea. The 21-year-old dynamo, having made a high-profile move from Manchester City during the summer, has seamlessly integrated into the Blues’ fabric, showcasing his prowess with 10 Premier League goals and six assists.

In the latest chapter of his meteoric rise, Palmer played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace on Monday night, contributing not only with a brace of goals but also facilitating two more for his teammates. This stellar performance solidifies his stature as an indispensable asset in the first-team lineup.

A testament to Pochettino’s impact on Palmer’s evolution, the England international acknowledges the manager’s influence, stating, “The manager helps us all every day. It’s just little conversations telling us what to do. He supports us massively, and credit goes to the manager for keeping us together. He has been amazing [with me] from the first day. When I first came in, he just put his arm around me and gave me the freedom and confidence to go out there and play — so, yes, I’m enjoying it.”

Palmer’s goal-scoring spree at Chelsea has been nothing short of extraordinary, especially considering he had never found the back of the net in the Premier League before donning the Stamford Bridge colors. The 21-year-old attributes this breakthrough to Pochettino’s nurturing approach, fostering an environment that encourages freedom and self-assurance on the field.

While Chelsea has faced challenges in maintaining consistency throughout the season, back-to-back 3-1 away victories over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have injected a renewed sense of confidence. Palmer sheds light on the team’s resilience during tough times, emphasizing the importance of communication within the squad.

“We do have meetings, and he [Pochettino] believes in us. We believe in ourselves, but everyone will talk if you’re not doing well. We just need to try and block it out and focus on ourselves. There’s always a lot of talk, you know what football fans are like, and rightly so. Chelsea is a big club, and we’ve seen them win many things for a long time. If we don’t get results, they will be onto us. But I think you’ve seen in the last two games that we are trying to stick together in our development and to keep going as a team.”

Pochettino echoes this sentiment, revealing that a halftime discussion played a pivotal role in turning the tide at Selhurst Park after Jefferson Lerma’s early goal had put Chelsea on the back foot. The head coach emphasizes the importance of avoiding a lackluster approach, highlighting the need for consistent performances to build confidence and sustain success.