Mauricio Pochettino claims Cole Palmer needs some tough love to keep him from slipping into the comfort zone.

Chelsea star Palmer is just back from England duty after making his first senior appearances for his country against Malta and North Macedonia.

And the 21-year-old former Manchester City forward, a summer signing at Stamford Bridge, has been involved in six goals in his past five Premier League appearances.

‘It’s about pushing them to keep outside of their comfort zone.

Mauricio Pochettino is eager to keep Cole Palmer grounded and ‘push him every day’ 

Palmer has been involved in six goals in five games and made his England debut against Malta 

‘After playing a few games well, because we are only human beings, we find this comfortable zone.

‘So our responsibility is to push him every day to the uncomfortable zone – and being tough with the players.’

Chelsea who face Newcastle tomorrow, signed Palmer in a £40m deal which could rise with add-ons.

And Pochettino has been hugely impressed with the youngster so far, saying: ‘That is why we sign him, because we believe in him.

‘But Manchester City won the Premier League, won the Champions League and it’s never easy to compete with big players.

‘Maybe with us, in this project it is easier. Of course to keep pushing him and all the players to be their best.’

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Pochettino also revealed that Levi Colwill will return to the squad after injury, and that Reece James will start.

But he insisted that Chelsea will remain patient with summer signing Christopher Nkunku, who is back in training.

Pochettino insisted that his attitude is to be ‘tough’ on players to get the best out of them 

Levi Colwill is in the squad to face Newcastle at St James’ Park while Reece James will start 

Christopher Nkunku will not be part of Chelsea’s squad against Newcastle despite training 

Romeo Lavia will also be absent and is slightly behind Nkunku in the recovery process 

Pochettino said: ‘Last week he was in few training sessions. Still, he’s not full recovery to be part of the tactical sessions.

‘Now is about recovery. He is a fantastic player that was top scorer in the Bundesliga and he can play in different positions.

‘His quality is amazing. Really bad luck to lose him for the beginning of the season and to not have the possibility for him to help the team.

‘We are going to find the best way for him to fit with the team. Now he’s going to find massive competition because all of the teammates are ahead of him because in the last four months they were competing and he needs to build his form and best level.’