Pochettino rejects Palmer claim and compares Chelsea star to Man Utd flop
Mauricio Pochettino has rejected that Cole Palmer is most like Juan Mata, instead comparing him to former Manchester United flop Angel Di Maria.
Mata starred for Chelsea in his three years at Stamford Bridge, winning the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League. Palmer meanwhile has impressed in the early stages of his Blues career, scoring five goals and assisting four more.
That has led to some comparing the duo, given both are known as the attacking sparks of their team. But Pochettino has pushed back on those comparisons, instead insisting Palmer is most like Di Maria, who flopped in his sole season in the Premier League.
Di Maria did score in the World Cup final last December, with Pochettino insisting Palmer's movements are reminiscent of the Argentine winger. The Chelsea boss believes there is still room for improvement in Palmer's game, but has been impressed with the youngster.
"Juan Mata? No, he is more Di Maria! You know, the body and the way he moves. I think he’s a clever guy who adapts really quickly. We are building a team and he was quick to see the situation, take it, show character and personality, and then good performances," he said.
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"We are so happy with him, but I think he still needs to improve. It’s special for him to play against his former club and team-mates. We trust in him. He needs to improve but he’s showing real quality.
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Cole Palmer has impressed for Chelsea since arriving in the summer (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)"It’s not fair to say it surprised me because he’s now performing and he didn’t play too much at City. We are two different clubs, with different ambitions and objectives. Maybe Chelsea fits really well for Cole."
Palmer started as Chelsea took on his former side Manchester City on Sunday evening. And Pochettino believes the Englishman has been aided by his previous experience in the Premier League.
"It’s easier to adapt to the Premier League when you have played in it. When a player comes from outside England, first of all, you don’t know if they can understand the language, the culture, the food, the weather," he added.
"It’s not easy for a Manchester boy to come to London and adapt, but it’s not the same. When you arrive at a club and a team that is very consistent in the way they operate, it is easier than arriving at a club in the process of building something, like us.
"At a consistent organisation, it’s only about performing. They are ahead. The percentage chance of a player who signs for City performing better than if we sign a player here is higher at the moment.
"We are trying to find the best organisation, the best way to operate, the best way to play, to get to know each other. At City you arrive, Pep or the coaches don’t need to talk too much. The players know everything they need to do and how they need to behave."
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