- Chelsea overturned a first leg deficit to book a place in the Carabao Cup final
- The Blues secured a 6-1 win in the second leg against Carrick’s Middlesbrough
- From Kevin Keegan to Arsene Wenger… IAN LADYMAN picks his top five managerial meltdowns on It’s All Kicking Off
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick believes one Chelsea star seems destined for a ‘great career’ after witnessing their impact first hand 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 match.
Chelsea stormed into a 3-0 lead after a Jonny Howson own goal, strikes from Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi.
A brace from Cole Palmer and a late Noni Madueke strike sealed Chelsea’s place in the final, with Morgan Rogers scoring a consolation for the visitors.
Carrick reserved particular praise for Palmer following his performance, with the 21-year-old bouncing back from missing a penalty in the first leg to play a key role in Chelsea’s triumph.
Chelsea booked a place in the Carabao Cup final with a 6-1 second leg win over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick singled Chelsea star Cole Palmer out for praise
Carrick labelled Palmer as a ‘real talent’ and claimed he will go on to have a great career
‘He is a real talent, a nice lad as well,’ Carrick told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘Down to earth and you can see when you come up against him he will go on to have a great career.
‘It’s not nice when you are on the end of it but we can appreciate and respect how good he is.
Carrick’s praise carries the additional weight of the Middlesbrough head coach’s own playing career.
The 42-year-old had been part of five Premier League title winning teams at Man United during his career, as well as lifting the Champions League in 2008.
Carrick is the latest to highlight Palmer’s impressive displays since signing for Chelsea from Man City for £40million, which have forced his way into the England squad.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said he is looking to provide Palmer with freedom in the Blues set-up, praising his ‘fantastic’ performances for the club.
‘He is a player with an amazing talent, it is a player that understands the game,’ Pochettino told Sky Sports.
‘He has the quality and the talent to see the situation and to read the game in another aspect.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino joined those giving Palmer plaudits for his performance
‘He can play from the right, striker or in behind the striker. We try to give him freedom because in every type of situation he can find the best position to help the team.
For me, one of the most important characteristics when we do not have the ball, the way he presses and then the intuition to get the ball back.
‘He is still young but he is doing fantastic for us.’
Chelsea await the winners of the second semi-final between Fulham and Liverpool.
The Reds head into the second leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday with a narrow 2-1 advantage.
