Cole Palmer believes the first month at Chelsea has already vindicated his decision to leave Manchester City.
The forward, who scored his first Premier League goal during Saturday’s 4-1 win at Burnley, will take the captain’s armband for England’s Under 21s in a Euro qualifier against Serbia on Thursday night.
Palmer comes into it after flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, playing a significant part in consecutive victories from the start.
While the 21-year-old is finding learning life skills a challenge in the capital, he is thriving for his new club after a £42.5million deadline day switch.
‘It has surprised me a bit but I know my own ability,’ Palmer said. ‘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.
Cole Palmer has impressed at Chelsea following his £42.5million transfer from Man City
Palmer is set to captain the England Under-21s in their Euro qualifier against Serbia
The 21-year-old believes his start to life at Chelsea has justified his decision to leave Man City
‘I thought I could break in. I looked at the squad and there are a lot of players who went, not as many as people would have thought in terms of attackers.
‘It’s been hectic but that’s good, moving down there was a big change. I was in a hotel for a couple of weeks and then I got my own place. It is new and difficult, I don’t know how to do most things on my own so I’m learning.’
Palmer’s father, Jermaine, helped him settle during the first week. ‘I’m learning everything: cooking, finding my way around London and even using a washing machine,’ he added. ‘Mum was doing my washing at home.’
Although Palmer was a crucial member of the Under-21 squad that created history by winning Euro 2023, manager Lee Carsley is adamant that the success in Georgia is not dwelled upon.
Carsley has not even shown his new group – only seven in this camp were involved at the Euros – clips of positive moments from the summer.
‘At the draw for that tournament, a UEFA guy called up the German coach on stage and asked how he felt about defending the title,’ Carsley said. ‘He said, “We won’t be defending because it’s a totally new squad.” I wasn’t too sure about that, thinking: “Well you did win it last time.”
‘But now I get what he meant. It is a different squad. It feels like we have started again. It’s gone, move on. We have to be better than that (team). There are definitely aspects of that where we can be better.’
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