After a disappointing start to the season, Cole Palmer is excited to be traveling with Chelsea to Wembley.
In a 6-1 thumping of Middlesbrough, the summer signing netted twice, securing a meeting with either Liverpool or Fulham in the Carabao Cup final on February 25.
And he was feeling upbeat after defeating the championship team 6-2 on aggregate by coming back from a poor performance in the first match.
Palmer, 21, stated to Sky Sports: “It’s going to be a good day to get the win and go to Wembley for the first time this season, but after the first game, we knew it would be difficult.”
“I missed three sitters in the first game, so it was always in the back of my mind coming into this game. To score two and go through to Wembley, I’m happy.
“We’ve not had the best of starts; there is no hiding it, but to go to Wembley is a great opportunity to get a trophy, and we’re looking forward to it.”
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Jonny Howson’s own goal gave the Blues a lead and they did not look back, with Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke all on target.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a shot to win his first silverware in English football next month, and he singled out Palmer for praise.
The ex-Tottenham boss, 51, said: “He is a player with an amazing talent. A player who understands the game.
“He has the quality and the talent to see the situation and to read the game in another aspect.
“He can play from the right, as a striker or from behind the striker. We try to give him freedom because, in this type of game, he can find the best position to help the team.
“For me, [the best part] is when he presses and then has the intuition to get the ball back. He is still young, but he is doing fantastic for us.”