Cole Palmer knows that Chelsea will be against it when they are on Sunday lunch in Newcastle in St James' Park while he calls teammates to show courage in Battle for Champions League places
Cole Palmer has said that Chelsea should be brave on Sunday in Raute St James' Park, otherwise: “They can eat you alive.”
The side of Enzo Maresca knows that a victory against Newcastle will have a huge influence on how the race for a top-five finish is switched off. And after Palmer celebrated his 23rd birthday earlier this week by watching the semi-final of the Champions League between Inter and Barcelona on TV, he is desperate to return to the competition next season.
“We know what the stadium is like and we know that they are also in a Champions League spot,” said Palmer. “We know it will be a difficult game, but we are going there to win. Hopefully we can do that. We have to go there and be brave.
“If you go there and you are not brave or scared, they can eat you alive. We have to be on it.”
Newcastle has won five in a row at home and scored 18 goals. And Chelsea, who only follows the tone because they have scored fewer goals, have rarely left Tyneside in recent years – lost eight of their last dozens of visits in all competitions.
But as Palmer said, “I don't think anyone does that.”
He will at least be well equipped and with a weight of his shoulders after last weekend an end of 18 games without finding the net.
In addition to the other major guns of Maresca, Palmer watched from the couch while Chelsea sealed their progress on Thursday evening to the Conference League final with a 5-1 total victory over Djurgarden.
“It is a nice feeling to be in the final,” he said, although the held up celebrations on Stamford Bridge made it clear that today is their top priority.
And although the lack of European competition from Newcastle has undoubtedly helped their business this season, Maresca's ability to rotate heavily during the campaign is partly to ensure that Chelsea can finish the season moderately fresh.
Colleague European finalists Manchester United come to the bridge on Friday, followed by a last day trip to Nottingham Forest who could still be a shooting for the fifth. And Palmer is convinced that the depth of the youngest team of the Premier League – with an average of 23 and a half – can still give them an advantage.
“Yes, we have a lot of quality, you could see that on Thursday evening,” he said, also believing that he is gradually becoming a leader in the dressing room. That's how I feel, but I am clearly still young, so I have to grow and grow. “
And there was a memory of that youthfulness of the other way in which he was roasted in the other way – after Tuesday's training session he met some friends for a kickabout on a rented astroturfurf.
“It was just to mess,” he said, in stark contrast to the intense three weeks waiting for him.
Become a member of our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of mirror football content. We also deal with our members of the community on special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can view every time you like. If you are curious, you can read our privacy statement.
Comments