Chelsea boss Pochettino makes incredible Palmer claim
FT Desk
- 2 Sept 2023 16:15 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he had little input in the decision to bring Cole Palmer to Stamford Bridge.
Palmer moved on deadline day from Manchester City, in a deal worth a reported initial £40 million.
The young midfielder thus became Chelsea's 12th signing of a hectic transfer window which has seen the Blues' squad completely overhauled.
Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
Pochettino has been tasked with putting a winning side together out of all the new faces, but he affirmed that he was not involved in this latest signing.
"I think the sporting director [Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley] and the owner [Todd Boehly] of course, but the sporting director, it was his idea to add him to the squad," the Argentine explained on Saturday.
"I think he's fit for the project. Talented player, of course."
Why did Palmer join Chelsea?
The manager also hinted that a desire for more regular first-team minutes influenced Palmer's decision to leave City.
"Also he decided to come because he expects to play maybe more and be important here but I think that is not the most important," he added.
"He decided to come because Chelsea is a project for him and improve his game and going to be more involved in every single game.
"I think the quality is there, it's great potential and of course now he needs to settle here and prove and show that he’s better than his teammates and to play. It's hard to fight for his place."
Palmer was on the bench for Chelsea's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, as the Blues sought their second win of the season in front of their own fans.
