Regarding Palmer's Cemerlang, Pochettino Gives Many Messages

Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer (left) celebrating the winning goal against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. (Glyn KIRK / AFP / ANTARA)

JAKARTA - It is undeniable that Cole Palmer is the Chelsea's brightest player of the season. But Mauricio Pochettino reminded Cole Palmer not to make the FA Cup semifinal match against Manchester City a means of proving himself that his career had shot up after leaving Pep Guardiola's side.

Palmer, who was brought in from City earlier this season, has scored 25 goals for the Blues in all competitions. The 21-year-old also often scored important goals embedding Chelsea from defeat.

"This is his first season playing consistently, we need to be careful because he is young, he is developing," said Pochettino as reported by AFP, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, April 20.

"He understands very well, for various reasons, he wants to prove himself to another club. Hopefully he's not the type of person who wants to prove something against his former club," said the Argentine coach.

Pochettino said Palmer didn't actually hate Manchester City, instead thanked him for educating him at the academy during 2010-2020 and then joining the senior team in 2020 to 2023 even though he only took the field 19 times in three years.

"He is very grateful to City, with Pep Guardiola. He always praises them," said Pochettino.

The former Tottenham and PSG coach advised Palmer to maintain his off-field stance, reflecting on the story of young stars who dimmed his career due to lifestyle factors.

We have to be careful. We have experience dealing with things like this, when a young man becomes a big star," he said. "Why hasn't the player appeared in a few months? Because his life has changed. So he needs to learn from this experience," he concluded.