Mauricio Pochettino has challenged Chelsea to prove they are not a ‘Cole Palmer Football Club’ if they have to face Arsenal without their player of the season on Tuesday.
Palmer, Chelsea’s main goal and source of creativity since joining from Manchester City last September, is doubtful for the trip to the Emirates Stadium due to illness. But rather than worrying about whether his young side can beat Arsenal without their best forward, Pochettino is determined to show his remaining players that they are not dependent on the 21-year-old. I want it.
Chelsea’s head coach said: “It’s a good challenge in case Palmer is absent.” “It’s a good challenge for team-mates. If I’m Cole Palmer’s team-mate and I’m in his position or close to it, I’ll go there tomorrow and realize that this is not Cole Palmer Football Club, this is Chelsea. You want to prove that you are a football club.”
Palmer has been overshadowed by other players for much of the campaign and there were signs of strain when Chelsea beat Everton 6-0 last week. Noni Madueke and Nicholas Jackson were criticized for trying to steal a penalty from Palmer. But Pochettino denied that some players were jealous of Palmer’s success. “No, this is a good example for them. Why is he doing so well so why can’t they do the same?” said the Argentine. “It’s a good challenge. They’re not jealous. They only want the same drugs we give Palmer! That’s a joke! They say, ‘What are you doing for Palmer? We want the same thing.’
Pochettino needs to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, but he has not yet decided who will take penalties if Palmer is absent. “We decide when we choose the starting XI, but we also have players like Noni Madueke. [Conor] gallagher [Enzo] Even Fernandez and Jackson are players who can shoot,” he said. “It depends on the situation. Of course it is [Mykhailo] Mudrik. ”
Pochettino says he doesn’t need to talk to Moises Caicedo about on-field discipline. The £115m midfielder was lucky not to be sent off for the challenge that got Jack Grealish sent off against City. Caicedo, who has been picked 12 times this season, has been involved in similar incidents with Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenbirch and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.
“In these situations, he was a little anxious and nervous about his performance because he was pushing himself to the limit,” Pochettino said. “It’s much better now. He’s calmer and more relaxed than before and we’re happy.
After newsletter promotion
“When you’re a holding midfielder you need to protect, but sometimes you need to be more proactive. Sometimes you’re on the brink.”
