'He made me' - Cole Palmer credits Mauricio Pochettino as the reason he's in England squad at Euro 2024 as Chelsea star reveals new coach Enzo Maresca's influence on him

Chelsea's Cole Palmer has praised ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino for his influence in transforming him into the player he is now.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Palmer explained that he was upset that Pochettino had been shown the exit door at Stamford Bridge after the Argentine had made the attacking midfielder and winger his key man. Palmer scored 22 goals for the Blues in the Premier League and will be expected to replicate those performance levels again next season. However, Palmer will be taking instruction from new boss Enzo Maresca and explained that he is looking forward to working with the Italian once again.

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WHAT PALMER SAID
Speaking to The Telegraph, Palmer said: "[Pochettino] just gave me the opportunity and the freedom and said: ‘Do what you do’. I was [sorry to see him go], 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.”
On Maresca, he added: “Enzo was the one who put me at right-wing. From the [under] 18s I was playing [number] 10 and when I went to the 23s Enzo played me on the right. That was my first full season on the right. 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."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Maresca was part of the Manchester City coaching staff and will relish the chance to work with Palmer once again. The England forward found enjoyed a sublime first season at Chelsea and was given the freedom to roam the right-wing. His performances for Chelsea prompted Gareth Southgate to include him in his European Championship squad, although, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen occupying similar areas, he is yet to be given much of a chance to impress.

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WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?
Palmer will hope to get more of a look in against Slovakia on Sunday as England look to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. As one of England's most consistent performers in recent years, Saka will likely start once again but Palmer should be one of the first options off the bench for Southgate.

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