Show me you are not Cole Palmer FC — Pochettino begs Chelsea players

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has issued a challenge to his team, urging them to prove that they are not solely reliant on Cole Palmer's contributions.

With Palmer's availability for Tuesday's match against Arsenal uncertain due to illness, Pochettino wants the rest of his squad to step up and demonstrate that Chelsea is not just "Cole Palmer Football Club."

"It is a good challenge in case Palmer is not available," Pochettino said, per the Guardian.

. "It’s a good challenge for the teammates. If I am a teammate of Cole Palmer in his position or a similar position, I am going to be motivated to go there tomorrow and show this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club."

Despite Palmer's standout performances this season, Pochettino denied any suggestion of jealousy among his players. 

He sees Palmer's success as an example for others to follow. "No, it is a good example for them – why is he doing so well and why are they not capable to do the same," Pochettino said.

"They are not jealous. They only want the same pill we provide Palmer! It’s a joke! They ask, ‘What you are doing for Palmer, we want the same.’"

Pochettino is by far Chelsea’s best performer this season. Palmer is among the top scorers in the league with ten goals, neck and neck with Erling Haaland. His 20 goals doubles the tally of the next best Nicolas Jackson. He also leads the club in assists with nine, three more than Conor Gallahger’s six.