The preparation of Cole Palmer in Newcastle involved it by celebrating its 23rd anniversary by training with its Chelsea teammates, then relying in its local Astroturf for a kickabout with Pals before returning home to look at the action of the Champions League this night.
The Europe Elite competition is exactly the place where the Blues want to be themselves and everything that was appreciated by Palmer on Tuesday, the English international insists that he means business today in St James’ Park.
Some in Chelsea see this as their biggest match of the season. Whoever manages to win would make a gigantic stage towards securing football in the Champions League.
Palmer insists that he and his teammates cannot show any sign of fear when they take Newcastle, lest they want to be “eaten alive” by the army of Geordies who are waiting for them.
“The day of my birthday, I went to train, I went to the astro with my friends for a kickabout, then I went home and watched the Champions League,” said Palmer, whose birthday fell on Tuesday when Inter Milan beat Barcelona 4-3 to win 7-6 on the aggregates. “It was good.
“Newcastle is a big match. We know what the stadium looks like and we know that they are also in a place in the Champions League. We know it will be a difficult game, but we are going there to win. I hope we can do it.
Cole Palmer says that Chelsea may be “eaten alive” by Newcastle if they are not “courageous”
“We have to go there and be courageous. If you go there and you are not courageous, or if you are afraid, they can eat you alive. We must be there.
Palmer finally put an end to his drought of score in the last victory of Chelsea in the Premier League against Liverpool, after having known 18 games aimless.
He, and others such as Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, were able to rest in Europe in the middle of the week while the Blues reached the final of the conference league by beating Djurgarden 1-0, guaranteeing a total victory of 5-1.
Palmer was recalled by a journalist in the mixed zone who, compared to Reggie Walsh, 16, who marked the story by starting for Chelsea in a first leg on Thursday, he is now practically an “old man” at 23 years old.
Palmer jokingly responded: ‘F *** ING Hell, what are you compared to Reggie?
“Obviously, Reggie is young, but he trained with us several times. He’s a very good player. I can’t wait to see what he can do.
Palmer added that he thought that his leadership skills are improving by adding: “I am still young myself so I have to continue to grow and grow.”