Mauricio Pochettino compares summer signing Cole Palmer to Argentina World Cup winner Angel Di Maria as the Chelsea star gears up to face former side Man City

• Mauricio Pochettino has lumped praise on summer signing Cole Palmer 
• The Chelsea star has been in excellent form at the start of the new season
• Why we should get excited about Cole Palmer – Listen here to It’s All Coming Up

Mauricio Pochettino has likened Chelsea summer signing Cole Palmer to Argentina World Cup winner Angel Di Maria. 

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to life at Stamford Bridge after his £40million move from Manchester City on deadline day. 

He’s since become a key figure in Chelsea’s starting eleven, returning five times in 13 appearances across all competitions so far this season, notably scoring during the Blue’s heated 4-1 victory against Tottenham on Monday. 

And Pochettino has lumped praise on his new signing, comparing him to former Real Madrid and Man United star Di Maria in a press conference ahead of their match against Manchester City on Sunday. 

The Chelsea boss was asked whether Palmer reminded him of Juan Mata but Pochettino said: ‘Juan Mata? No, he is more Di Maria! You know, the body and the way he moves.’

Mauricio Pochettino has likened Cole Palmer (pictured) to Argentina legend Angel Di Maria 

It comes as Chelsea prepare to take on Palmer’s old side Man City on Sunday 

Di Maria moved to Benfica this summer after claiming the World Cup with Argentina in 2022

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Di Maria is currently plying his trade in the Liga Portugal with Benfica, having moved back to the Portuguese champions as a free agent this summer after leaving the club 13 years ago.

During the press conference, Pochettino also fielded questions on whether he was surprised to see Manchester City let a talent like Palmer, a graduate of the Cityzen’s academy system, leave the club.  

‘I think it is not fair to say it surprises me just because now he is performing and he didn’t play too much in City,’ he added.

‘We are two different clubs, with different objectives. Maybe he fits well for Chelsea. [Mateo] Kovacic left Chelsea for City and I don’t know what happened. 

‘It’s always difficult to judge these kinds of decisions.’

Having won the treble with City last season, Palmer will face off against his old side on Sunday. 

In the summer, Palmer spoke on his motives for moving to the London club, claiming while he was willing to compete for a place in Pep Guardiola’s side, he added that he wanted more regular football.

Palmer played only four times in the Champions League for City last season, while also making only two starts in the Premier League.

Palmer has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge with claiming Gareth Southgate should be considering an England call up for the 21-year-old 

‘I’m not saying I shied away from the competition (for places at City) because I’ve never done that,’ Palmer said in the summer. 

‘I’d been there (around the first team) for a few years and wanted more of an opportunity to play – in my position and to have more of an impact.’ 

But it seems that decision to leave has been vindicated by his fast start to life at Stamford Bridge, adding in October: ‘It [his fine form] has surprised me a bit but I know my own ability.

‘And I knew that if I hit the ground running I’d have a chance and obviously make an impact. That’s why I went there.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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