Frank Leboeuf praised Cole Palmer after his exceptional performance with a hat-trick against Manchester United and criticized the Chelsea player for making ‘poor choices’.
The Blues seemed likely to endure another disheartening loss on Thursday night after losing an early two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge and going into halftime tied.
Alejandro Garnacho seemed to have completed a remarkable comeback for the visitors with his second goal of the match midway through the second half.
However, Palmer remained composed and successfully scored his second penalty of the game in injury-time of the 10th minute and then netted a dramatic winning goal 60 seconds later, benefiting from lenient defending and a significant deflection.
Despite another turbulent season for the west London club, Palmer has improved his growing reputation and has earned a spot in the senior England squad.
Former Chelsea player Leboeuf, however, is worried that the summer signing from Manchester City is being compelled to take too many unnecessary risks because his teammates do not possess the same level of football intelligence.
‘I’m worried about these two teams. In football we take initiative and that’s very crucial in our game,’ the France World Cup winner told ESPN FC.
‘In football you have to deal with elements that you are not in control of. So it’s about initiative, anticipation. These two teams make poor choices.
‘For instance, Palmer scored three goals but definitely for me was the best Chelsea player. He sometimes makes poor choices because he knows he has to rescue the club in a way.
‘He’s the only one who is at that level who can make poor choices and he makes too many decisions on his own and sometimes tries to shoot because if he gives the ball to someone else he’s not going to score. It’s where you have to work at it and have to feel it. It’s justifiable what he does.’
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, had nothing but praise for the 21-year-old, whose goal count for the season reached 21 as a result of his crucial late contributions against United.
‘His best skill I think is, one of his best skills is his mentality, his ability to cope with the pressure. He’s young, I think it’s his first season playing very consistently,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘I think it’s amazing the way he copes with the pressure.
‘He can be a very good player. If we talk today, it’s impossible to not say he’s a top player, no? But he can still do things to improve.’
