Roberto de Zerbi disclosed that Brighton attempted to acquire the services of the talented player Cole Palmer from Manchester City last summer.
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto de Zerbi has revealed his previous attempts to bring Cole Palmer to the Amex Stadium before the midfielder’s move to Chelsea last summer. Speaking ahead of Brighton’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday, De Zerbi expressed his belief in Palmer’s potential as a top player.
De Zerbi acknowledged that Palmer’s qualities were not fully evident during his time at Manchester City, but this season, the 22-year-old has been in exceptional form, scoring 24 goals and providing 14 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for The Blues. The Brighton coach emphasized Palmer’s versatility, noting that he can excel as a winger or as a number 10.
A victory over Chelsea would be a significant step for Brighton in their pursuit of a third consecutive top-half finish in the Premier League. The Seagulls achieved ninth and sixth-place finishes in the past two seasons, with the latter securing European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
De Zerbi stressed the importance of securing a top-10 position and expressed satisfaction with his team’s recent performances, earning four points from their last two matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle United. He highlighted the team’s improved enthusiasm and confidence in those games.
Looking ahead, De Zerbi acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match against Chelsea, as a win for the Blues would keep them in contention for European qualification. Currently sitting seventh in the table, Chelsea are three points ahead of Manchester United and level on points with sixth-place Newcastle, with goal difference separating the two teams.
As the season nears its end, both Brighton and Chelsea have much to play for, with European qualification and a top-10 finish at stake. The clash between the two sides promises to be an exciting and crucial encounter in the Premier League.