Mauricio Pochettino makes Cole Palmer comparison, talks Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo 'amazing potential' at Chelsea
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Published 29/12/2023 at 12:17 GMT
Chelsea have significantly changed the make-up of their squad since the onset of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's co-ownership of the club, but one of the undoubted successes amid that churn has been Cole Palmer. And such has been the England winger's form, that Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has likened him to an Argentinian legend. Watch Luton Town v Chelsea on December 30 live on TNT Sports.
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In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his belief that Cole Palmer has the "capacity and potential" to be close to Angel Di Maria in his career - "with time".
The young winger has taken to life at Chelsea like a duck to water; becoming one of the first names on Pochettino's teamsheet, registering 11 goal involvements in 18 total appearances as well as taking on the club's penalty-taking duties.
Coming off an impressive summer when he assisted Curtis Jones' goal in the UEFA Under-21 Euros final as England took home the trophy, the 21-year-old also made his debut with Gareth Southgate's senior squad in the autumn, and looks a decent bet to make next summer's Euros squad.
If, of course, he can continue to shine at Chelsea, who visit Luton Town on December 30, a game you can watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"In the position that he plays, and because he's a left-footer and because he has some similarities and the quality, he's a potential Angel Di Maria," Pochettino told TNT Sports, referring to the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United winger.
"Angel is a world champion [with Argentina in 2022], he was in Paris [Saint-Germain] with us, and is an amazing player.
"He [Palmer] has the capacity and the potential to be close to him, with time. He's still far away, but this type of player that can link, can be a playmaker, have the capacity to score, assist, it's this type of player like Angel."
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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Cole Palmer of England speaks with Rico Lewis during the UEFA U21 EURO Qualifier match between England and Serbia at City Ground on October 12, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
On the speed of Palmer's integration in West London, Pochettino added: "Always you expect when you sign a player, you expect that they perform in the best way.
"But of course he's performing really well from Day 1, he's adapted very well to the club, to the team-mates, to Chelsea life, and yes it's amazing, because always you expect the player can perform well, but he's doing excellent."
Pochettino is not short on talented youngsters at his disposal, and has seen Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, both 22, come under his tutelage at Stamford Bridge.
The pair have generally started in midfield in a three alongside Conor Gallagher in recent weeks, and while their touch maps for this season so far bear out their overall positioning - Caicedo generally central and at the base, Fernandez slightly more advanced and to the left - they also point to the duo's ability to be multi-functional and operate in a variety of zones.
On the pair, Pochettino said they have "amazing potential", and revealed his hope they will be "important" players in the future of the club.
How to watch Luton Town v Chelsea?
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Luton Town v Chelsea will be live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with coverage from 11:00 on Saturday, December 30 ahead of kick-off at 12:30.
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