Mauricio Pochettino explains why £42.5m Chelsea star needs to 'improve' despite being a fan favourite

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says Cole Palmer still has a lot of work to do to reach the level of Lionel Messi before adding that he doesn't expect the former Manchester City forward to score in every game. 

Palmer has been the star of the show at Chelsea this season, bagging nine league goals and being involved in the club's best moments so far. But against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, the £42.5million signing wasted two glorious opportunities to put his team ahead, raising questions about his ability to play as a false nine. 

Asked where he felt was the player's best position, Pochettino told reporters: Pochettino told reporters: "I prefer him on the pitch at the moment! but be careful because after [reading this] he may feel he will [always] play! He is still young and needs to improve and to keep performing this way."

"No, I think he cannot score in every single game. If he did, we should maybe not call him Cole Palmer, we should call him maybe Leo [Messi].

"No, it is not about his position - and his potential is massive. It's just sometimes you score or not. Sometimes you have better nights but he is doing well.

"He is a player who can play in different positions and you can see and feel that we never talk about his performances because he is always doing really good. It's just that sometimes he scores or doesn't score, but he always finds amazing chances in the game."

The 21-year-old will hope to add to his tally when Chelsea go to Anfield to face Liverpool on Wednesday night in the Premier League.