A player who only burst onto the scene after a beautiful curling effort against Arsenal in the community shield followed up by a header to level matters against Sevilla in the European Super cup just four days after, it seemed destined for Palmer to finally get his deserved shot at regular men’s football.

However, with Pep deciding to go for additional cover on the flanks with the signing of Jeremy Doku, Cole Palmer decided to opt out as Chelsea came calling, in a deal that cost the club around 42 million pounds.

Since his debut against Nottingham Forest as a substitute, Cole ‘cold’ Palmer has taken on the responsibility of being Chelsea’s talisman with his goal contributions putting him in conversations of the YPOTY despite Chelsea’s abysmal form all season long.

16 Premier league goals from an xG of (12.39), and 8 assists for a player that was rotting-out on City’s bench as early as the beginning of this season, is incredible.

There is no doubt that Chelsea’s season could’ve been much worse than the present 11th position on the league standings, without the acquisition of the 21-year old.

Taking a twi goal lead early on in the game against a United team that has faced the most shots in the league this season, it came as no surprise that Chelsea constantly found space in a porous midfield set-up from United with a 3-1-6 on the ball structure utilised by Ten Hag.

It also came as no surprise to see United get back into the game before the end of the first half as Chelsea have been guilty of gifting teams a way back into games with silly errors and failure to do the basics right.

An error-prone backline and a naive goalkeeper doesn’t help anyone in Chelsea’s blue but Pochettino’s “Choas-ball” barely mitigates that problem.

An open midfield and overly direct pattern of play plays into the hands of opponents as there would always be chances for oppositions on the break.

A non-existent rest-defence when in the attacking phase and an unbalanced centre back pairing further exposed the team’s flaws.

A disjointed press from the front also means we afford teams way too much respect and allow them play their game while asserting some level of authority even on our own turf.

Despite Palmer’s heroics, it is not sustainable to continue to depend on individual quality to scrape wins.

Considering the amount of money already spent by the owners, it remains baffling to understand why the owners have decided to stick a manager whose philosophy barely suits the present crop of players at the club.

With the team consisting of a core of technicians (Enzo, Palmer, Colwill, James, Carney, Caicedo and Nkunku), it makes a lot of sense to appoint a manager that prioritizes technicality and control.

Despite this point, there is no doubt that the players have improved a lot under Pochettino who is like a father-figure to many of them.

Fitness wise, the players are presently at the required standard to compete up the table as the team can boast of players capable of playing the full 90 minutes at a high physical level and intensity.

Players like Enzo who looked overweight last season now looks in top shape and is able to press, run and commit himself to defending a lot better than last season.

The season is only over a month away from ending and Pochettino should be allowed to steady the ship till the end of this season.

But whatever happens come the end of the season with the team’s placement and achievements, a review of Poch’s performance is expected and many fans with myself included expects a change in the technical area with options like De Zerbi, Naggelsmann and Amorim available on the market.