Mauricio Pochettino compares summer time signing Cole Palmer to Argentina World Cup winner Angel Di Maria because the Chelsea star gears as much as face former facet Man Metropolis

Mauricio Pochettino has likened Chelsea summer time signing Cole Palmer to Argentina World Cup winner Angel Di Maria. 

The 21-year-old has loved a effective begin to life at Stamford Bridge after his £40million transfer from Manchester Metropolis on deadline day. 

He is since change into a key determine in Chelsea’s beginning eleven, returning 5 occasions in 13 appearances throughout all competitions up to now this season, notably scoring throughout the Blue’s heated 4-1 victory towards Tottenham on Monday. 

And Pochettino has lumped reward on his new signing, evaluating him to former Actual Madrid and Man United star Di Maria in a press convention forward of their match towards Manchester Metropolis on Sunday. 

The Chelsea boss was requested whether or not Palmer reminded him of Juan Mata however Pochettino mentioned: ‘Juan Mata? No, he’s extra Di Maria! You already know, the physique and the best way he strikes.’

Di Maria is at present plying his commerce within the Liga Portugal with Benfica, having moved again to the Portuguese champions as a free agent this summer time after leaving the membership 13 years in the past.

The England U21 star has in the meantime been attracting loads of reward following his wonderful begin, with some suggesting Palmer could possibly be on the cusp of a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. 

In the course of the press convention, Pochettino additionally fielded questions on whether or not he was stunned to see Manchester Metropolis let a expertise like Palmer, a graduate of the Cityzen’s academy system, depart the membership.  

‘I believe it’s not truthful to say it surprises me simply because now he’s performing and he did not play an excessive amount of in Metropolis,’ he added.

‘We’re two completely different golf equipment, with completely different goals. Perhaps he matches properly for Chelsea. [Mateo] Kovacic left Chelsea for Metropolis and I do not know what occurred. 

‘It is all the time tough to evaluate these sorts of choices.’

Having gained the treble with Metropolis final season, Palmer will face off towards his previous facet on Sunday. 

In the summertime, Palmer spoke on his motives for transferring to the London membership, claiming whereas he was keen to compete for a spot in Pep Guardiola’s facet, he added that he wished extra common soccer.

Palmer performed solely 4 occasions within the Champions League for Metropolis final season, whereas additionally making solely two begins within the Premier League.

‘I’m not saying I shied away from the competitors (for locations at Metropolis) as a result of I’ve by no means carried out that,’ Palmer mentioned in the summertime. 

‘I’d been there (across the first staff) for a couple of years and wished extra of a chance to play – in my place and to have extra of an affect.’ 

However it appears that evidently choice to go away has been vindicated by his quick begin to life at Stamford Bridge, including in October: ‘It [his fine form] has stunned me a bit however I do know my very own skill.

‘And I knew that if I hit the bottom working I would have an opportunity and clearly make an affect. That is why I went there.’