Cole Palmer breaks silence on the warning he received before joining Chelsea from Man City
Cole Palmer has revealed he ignored those who warned him against joining Chelsea from Manchester City this summer.
The 21-year-old appeared destined to play a more prominent role for the champions under Pep Guardiola after he starred in pre-season, scoring in both theCommunity Shield and European Super Cup final.
Following the signing of Jeremy Doku, however, Palmer felt his first team chances would be hampered and opted to join the Blues on deadline day in a £40million deal.
That brave decision appears to have been vindicated with Palmer having established himself as a key part of Mauricio Pochettino’s rebuilding project.
‘I did look at how many players were there, but I don’t think people realise how many players they actually got rid of as well. So when I was going there, I heard people say: ‘Oh, there are so many players’ and stuff, and all this. But I looked at the squad and I thought: ‘If I go there and know what I can do, then I’ll have the chance of playing,’ and thankfully it’s happened.
‘It was a big move for me. I’d never been out of Manchester, not even on loan or anything like that, so to move down there on my own was a big thing.
‘A lot of people told me how he [Pochettino] is with young players and ever since I went to Chelsea I can see it, so I’m enjoying working with him and I’m excited to carry on working with him.
‘He has given me the confidence and licence to go where I want on the pitch, where I feel I can use my strengths, so I’m grateful for it.
‘I am a player who always wants the ball, anywhere, to try and help the team get uut of a difficult situation or create a chance.’