MAURICIO Pochettino said he spoke to England manager Gareth Southgate about Cole Palmer this week and believes the way the attacker has handled the pressure playing for Chelsea marks him out as “special”.
Palmer, 21, has scored 13 goals in 33 games in all competitions for the Blues this season as well as making his England debut.
“I spoke to Gareth a few days ago. I think it’s no surprise that he’s showing a great personality and character. I think the way he adapted to Chelsea’s coaching staff, pressure to play for big club like Chelsea that makes him special,” Pochettino said.
“His quality is there. I think the most important thing is how he deals with the pressure. Sometimes players need time to deal with this. I think it’s amazing the way he adapts to a new club and he feels like he has been here 20 years. The quality is there.”
Another player staking his claim to feature in Southgate’s squad for the European Championships this summer is Conor Gallagher.
Pochettino said: ”I think he’s convincing the England manager because of his commitment, he’s already 200 per cent in everything. He needs to keep performing and he needs this commitment always because it is one of his best skills – the capacity to help and fight. He needs to keep believing and trying to improve in this way. He’s scoring and feeling more confident. Now the challenge is to score more goals, and he feels comfortable to go in this direction.”
Pochettino was speaking to the press before the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues boss admitted it had been an inconsistent season so far, as he aims to lead the side to another final after they were beaten by Liverpool in the EFL Cup decider.
Pochettino said: “It’s a strange year. Sometimes the expectation is high and sometimes low. Sometimes rain and sometimes sunny! For us to beat Leicester would be massive for us. Another opportunity to play at Wembley. Between you and me, some players did not sleep the day before the final [of the EFL Cup] and that is only through experience, and living these situations, you can be better.
“The opportunity to be in Europe through the FA Cup would be massive. But we see Leicester are doing very well in the Championship and the coach is doing fantastic. It will be very tough game. Their manager is doing a fantastic job and now it will be tough because the final period you need to be solid.”
