Liam Rosenior has opened up on the leadership qualities that explain why he awarded Cole Palmer the captain’s armband for the first time in his Chelsea career against Port Vale.
With usual leader Reece James still out injured and deputy Enzo Fernandez dropped, Palmer was made Blues skipper for Saturday evening’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge.
The England international’s first match as Chelsea captain came on his 123rd senior appearance for the club across all competitions.
While he was unable to get on the scoresheet to mark the occasion, Palmer was heavily involved in Chelsea’s third goal of a 7-0 rout as he forced Jordan Gabriel to put through his own net shortly before half-time.
After the game, Rosenior was lavish in his praise of Palmer and explained why he made him captain.
“I think it's a natural step for Cole where he is in his career,” Rosenior said.
“He shows leadership. You have different types of leadership. You have players who talk, who organise.
“What Cole does and where he leads is he's so brave and he'll take the ball on the pitch. And if he makes a mistake, he'll take the ball and be positive again.
“That reflects what I want in this team. I felt Cole led the team magnificently in the game today.”
When asked how Palmer had reacted to being told he was captain against Port Vale, Rosenior replied: “Cole is happy about it.”
The Chelsea head coach continued: “Cole is a player in big moments who can win you games. But if you watch the game today with Cole or with Joao [Pedro], they are tracking back, they are chasing back into their own box.
“Pedro was making tackles in his own box. You have to go back to basics. I felt the players in terms of the fundamentals of the game today were very, very good and Cole led by example.”
