Bad Decision: Frank Leboeuf reveals why Cole Palmer is guilty of making ‘bad decisions’
Frank Leboeuf hailed Cole Palme after his hat-trick heroics against Manchester United but accused the Chelsea star of making ‘bad decisions’.
The Blues appeared destined for another demoralising defeat on Thursday night after they squandered an early two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge and went in level at the break.
Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have completed a stunning comeback for the visitors with his second goal of the contest midway through the second half.
Palmer, however, kept his cool to slot home his second penalty of the game in the10th minute of injury-time and then scored a dramatic winner 60 seconds later, benefiting from generous defending and an enormous deflection.
Despite another chaotic season for the west London club, Palmer has enhanced his burgeoning reputation and has broken into the senior England squad.
Former Chelsea star Leboeuf, however, fears the summer signing from Manchester City is being forced to too many unnecessary risks because his teammates do not have the same level of football intelligence.
‘I’m concerned about these two teams. In football we take initiative and that’s very crucial in our game,’ the France World Cup winner told ESPN FC.
‘In football you have to deal with elements that you are not in control of. So it’s about initiative, anticipation. These two teams make bad decisions.
‘For example, Palmer scored three goals but definitely for me was the best Chelsea player. He sometimes takes bad decisions because he knows he has to save the club in a way.
‘He’s the only one who is at that level who can take bad decisions and he makes too many decisions on his own and sometimes tries to shoot because if he gives the ball to someone else he’s not going to score. It’s where you have to work at it and have to feel it. It’s excusable what he does.’
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, was full of praise for the 21-year-old, who took his goal tally for the campaign to 21 as a consequence of his decisive late contributions against United.
‘His best skill I think is, one of his best skills is his mentality, his capacity to deal with the pressure. He’s young, I think it’s his first season playing very consistently,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘I think it’s amazing the way he deals with the pressure.
‘He can be a very good player. If we talk today, it’s impossible to not say he’s a top player, no? But he can still do things to improve.’
