Chelsea's Cole Palmer Says "Top Manager" Mauricio Pochettino Has Made Him a Better Player

Cole Palmer called Mauricio Pochettino a "top manager and a top person" and said the Chelsea boss has made him a better player since his move from Man City.

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer has called Mauricio Pochettino a "top manager and a top person".

Palmer has been Chelsea's star man since joining from Manchester City in September.

The 21-year-old has scored more goals, 10, and provided more assists, six, in the Premier League this season than any of his teammates.

Palmer won the Men's Young Player of the Year prize at the 2024 London Football Awards on Thursday.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was named Manager of the Year.

Pochettino - whose Chelsea side currently sit 11th in the Premier League table with just 35 points from 25 games - was not even nominated for that award.

However, Palmer was full of praise for Pochettino as he spoke to BBC Sport at Thursday's event.

Palmer said: "He speaks to you about anything, like family issues. I think if he knows what's going on off the pitch, it can affect how he is with you on the pitch. He's really great at that."

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino pictured (left) speaking to Cole Palmer following a 4-0 win over Preston North End in January :: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Paul Phelan

Asked if Pochettino had made him a better player, Palmer replied: "Yeah. He's given me the freedom to play my stuff and I like it when he frees you because I feel I can express my stuff more.

"I'm loving it. Every day he's talking to you about different things, not just football things but life things as well. He's good at making you feel good and trying to get the best out of you."

Manchester-born Palmer had been on the books at City for more than a decade.

He was never a regular starter under Pep Guardiola, but he did rack up 41 first-team appearances at City.

Palmer also spoke highly of Guardiola on Thursday by adding: "What I learnt at City, I wouldn't be able to learn anywhere else with the manager and the players that were there, one of the best in the world.

"Then I felt I was ready to play and I thought I might as well just go for it [joining Chelsea]. I just felt like I was ready to play football week in, week out."