Cole Palmer credits Mauricio Pochettino for turning Chelsea form around

Pochettino’s side continued an excellent run of form with a win over Brighton

Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea in their (REUTERS)

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino deserves full credit for their upturn in form, attacking midfielder Cole Palmer said as the London side continued their push for European football with a fourth successive win in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Chelsea secured all three points on the road with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, thanks to Palmer’s opener, which was his 22nd league goal in a spectacular first season with the team.

The Englnad international’s comments come amid speculation about Pochettino’s future at Stamford Bridge. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach has one more year under contract at Chelsea.

“For it to be in our hands to get sixth place is a big thing for us,” Palmer told the BBC. “Chelsea are a big club and everyone wants to finish higher than sixth but you have to look at where we were at the start of the season.

Cole Palmer has hailed Mauricio Pochettino amid speculation over the manager’s future (Getty Images)

“All credit to the manager. All the players love the manager and want to fight for him.”

Since being appointed in May last year, Pochettino has taken Chelsea to the final of the League Cup, which they lost 1-0 to Liverpool, as well as the semis of the FA Cup, where they were beaten 1-0 by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Despite a long list of injuries at Chelsea - new signings like forward Christopher Nkunku, defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia and captain Reece James have missed much of the campaign through injury - Pochettino said was proud of his team for overcoming setbacks.

“So happy for the players, they deserve the full credit for the way that we worked, our approach to the game and the way we tried to apply all of the work we were doing on the training ground,” the Argentine told reporters.

“I am proud. To face a team like Brighton is always difficult here. We are so happy because the three points mean we are closer to achieving what we want.”

Reuters