'Gutted' Cole Palmer becomes latest star to SLAM Chelsea decision

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Jun 2024 16:09 BST
4 min read

Cole Palmer hugged by Mauricio Pochettino as he is replaced during Brighton vs Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Cole Palmer has become the latest Chelsea star to admit that Mauricio Pochettino's exit left him 'gutted.'

Article continues under the video

The Argentine coach and Chelsea parted company after the conclusion of the bygone Premier League season. Though Pochettino wasn't officially sacked, it was clear that the Blues weren't entirely happy with the tactician.

Despite an inconsistent campaign, Pochettino had managed to steady the ship and got the Blues back into Europe, albeit only the Conference League. The former Tottenham boss had reportedly wanted more control over transfers, while club bosses wanted a more modern approach to the game, eventually leading to their 'amicable' separation.

Pochettino's departure nevertheless came as a major shock, especially to Chelsea's players. The coach had been a hugely popular figure in the dressing room and many stars publically aired their frustration following the announcement of his exit.

Chief among them was Nicolas Jackson. In fact, it has since sensationally been claimed that the striker considered leaving the club in the wake of this decision.

Palmer disappointed with decision

More recently, Enzo Fernandez made no secret of his disappointment with the Chelsea hierarchy. While away on Argentina duty for the Copa America, the midfielder told the media about how Blues chiefs had reneged on their decision to allow him to compete at the Olympics.

Fernandez blamed the coaching change for this, stating that Pochettino had given him the green light but new boss Enzo Maresca hasn't. He also revealed that Chelsea wanted him to keep playing with an injury that had been plaguing him for most of the season when he got surgery late in 2023/24.

Now, Cole Palmer has become the latest Chelsea star to reveal that the Pochettino decision left him upset. "He just gave me the opportunity and the freedom and said 'do what you do'," the England attacker told The Telegraph.

"I was [sorry] because he put his trust in me and we built a good relationship. Not just with him but with all his staff who were there. When he left I was gutted."

"He is probably the main reason [I am in the England squad] because a different manager might not have given me that freedom and opportunity to do what I did at Chelsea."

However, Palmer, who knows new coach Maresca from his Man City days, also admitted that he is looking forward to working with the Italian. "Enzo was the one who put me at right-wing...He's a good coach, a really good coach. I think tactically he knows what he is doing. He will improve a lot of the players."