Cole Palmer has delivered his verdict on Mauricio Pochettino’s work at Chelsea, following the Argentine coach’s shock departure last week.
The 52-year-old mutually agreed to part ways with the club despite leading the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and also securing a spot in the Europa Conference League next season.
Following his departure, Mail Sport understands that Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over as the new permanent Blues boss.
On Monday, it was revealed that the club are hoping to appoint the Italian manager later this week after seeking formal permission to speak to the Leicester boss – who guided the Foxes back to the Premier League after a year-long hiatus.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have been plagued by injuries this season, with Pochettino weathering a storm of pressure throughout the season, before galvanizing his side to win their final five league matches and finish sixth.
Cole Palmer (right) has given his verdict on Mauricio Pochettino’s (left) tenure as Chelsea boss
Palmer (right) enjoyed a standout season with the Blues, after arriving from Man City last summer
Enzo Maresca (pictured) is Chelsea’s frontrunner to take over from Mauricio Pochettino
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Despite turning things around at Chelsea, claims were made by The Telegraph that there had been a divide between Pochettino and the club’s hierarchy. The Blues manager had reportedly been at odds with the ownership over the philosophy that the club had adopted and was ‘dismissive of the club’s directive to use set-piece specialists.’
One player who had thrived under the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain coach was Palmer, who enjoyed a standout season scoring 27 goals across all competitions, while also returning 15 assists.
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Upon Pochettino’s departure, Palmer, who also picked up the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award for his heroics in front of goal, led the tributes to the Argentine boss on social media.
‘Gaffer, thank you for everything you have done for me & making my dreams come true. All the best,’ he wrote.
Palmer, who had arrived at Chelsea from Man City last summer in a £42.5million transfer, has grown into one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.
Having struggled for game time at City, the 22-year-old has lumped praise on the departing Chelsea boss for the work he has done to improve his game individually but also better his team.
‘When he first came he installed the foundations and made sure everyone knew what was required,’ he told The Sun.
‘Then he started to teach us what he wanted to do. But first, we needed that base.
Palmer led Chelsea players’ tributes on social media to the outgoing manager Pochettino
Palmer (right) praised Pochettino (left) for helping him with his personal development
‘As a man-manager, he would push you if you slacked off.
‘He’s been really good for me. He kept me relaxed and we had a really good relationship.’
Amid Chelsea’s dips in form earlier in the campaign, Palmer noted the difficult time Pochettino had, attempting to navigate their mounting injury list and get the best out of his young squad.
‘He had a tough job, half the team has been injured — some very important players, too — so it’s been difficult for him.
‘But everyone loved him. All the players did and he’s been very important for me as well.’
Nicolas Jackson is one of a number of Chelsea players who have appeared to express upset at Mauricio Pochettino’s exit
Jackson expressed his regret that he could not spend longer working under his head coach
Reece James, Noni Madueke, Robert Sanchez and Alfie Gilchrist were among those to write tributes
Several other Chelsea players have gone in to bat for the Argentine manager following his exit, including Nicolas Jackson and Benoit Badiashile.
His departure left some of his team members in shock, with the players’ WhatsApp group reportedly ‘going into meltdown’.
Jackson had posted a picture of him and the coach on his Instagram story, adding several emojis of a man putting his face on his hands. In a later story, he added: ‘Love you coach. Wish we could stay together more (hand-over-face emoji).
‘But may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for the advice and support, you’re a true lion and a fighter, wish you all the best (heart emoji).’
