- Chelsea overturned a deficit in the first leg to book a place in the Carabao Cup final
- The Blues secured a 6-1 victory in the second leg against Carrick’s Middlesbrough
- From Kevin Keegan to Arsene Wenger… IAN LADYMAN picks his top five managerial meltdowns It all starts
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick believes a Chelsea star appears destined for a ‘great career’ after witnessing first-hand their impact in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Championship side were crushed 6-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their semi-final, with the Blues overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
Chelsea stormed into a 3-0 lead after an own goal by Jonny Howson, hits by Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi.
A brace from Cole Palmer and a late goal from Noni Madueke sealed Chelsea’s place in the final, with Morgan Rogers scoring a consolation for the visitors.
Carrick had particular praise for Palmer after his performance, with the 21-year-old returning from missing a penalty in the first leg to play a key role in Chelsea’s win.
Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 6–1 second leg win over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick praised Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Carrick labeled Palmer a ‘real talent’ and claimed he will have a great career
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“He’s a real talent but also a nice guy,” Carrick told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Both feet on the ground, and you can see that if you meet him he will have a great career.
“It’s not fun when you’re at the end of it, but we can appreciate and respect how good he is.
Carrick’s praise carries the added weight of the Middlesbrough head coach’s own playing career.
The 42-year-old was part of five Premier League title-winning sides during his career with Man United and also won the Champions League in 2008.
Carrick is the latest to highlight Palmer’s impressive performances since signing from Man City to Chelsea for £40million, helping him find his way into the England squad.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said he wants to give Palmer freedom in the Blues set-up and praised his ‘fantastic’ performances for the club.
“He is a player with great talent, a player who understands the game,” Pochettino said Air sports.
‘He has the quality and talent to see the situation and read the game in a different aspect.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino joined those in complimenting Palmer for his performances
‘He can play from the right, striker or behind the striker. We try to give him freedom because in every situation he can find the best position to help the team.
For me, one of the most important characteristics when we don’t have the ball is the way he presses and then the intuition to get the ball back.
“He’s still young, but he’s doing fantastic for us.”
Chelsea awaits the winners of the second semi-final between Fulham and Liverpool.
The Reds go into the second leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday with a narrow 2-1 lead.