Chelsea’s next match sees us take on Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium, but for this away trip Cole Palmer will be on very familiar ground. The 21-year-old had spent his entire career at Man City before leaving for the Blues in August.

Although it won’t be his first time facing his former club, having scored an injury-time penalty to secure a point in a dramatic 4-4 draw earlier this season, Palmer admits the emotions will be different when he returns to the stadium he used to call home.

‘It will be a tough game but I’m looking forward to going back to the Etihad,’ he said. ‘It will be strange, a weird feeling, but I’m looking forward to it and the team’s looking forward to it.

‘I’m very excited to be honest, even though it will be strange. Obviously I played against them at Stamford Bridge, but I think going back to the Etihad will be even stranger. But I’m really looking forward to it.’

The emotions Palmer will feel on his return to the Etihad Stadium are understandable given he began his professional career in the academy at Manchester City before making his senior debut there.

That also meant it was not an easy decision to leave the club he had called home since a young age and move to west London, but it is one that has been justified by his impressive start to life at Chelsea, with that penalty against City in November one of 21 goal involvements for the Blues already this season.

‘I have been surprised by how well it’s gone here so quickly, but I always back myself to succeed,' Cole continued.

‘When I made the decision to come down here with my family it was a really tough decision to leave, but I felt like I was ready to play week in, week out and showcase my ability. So thank you to the club and everyone who has supported me.

‘It’s down to the manager giving me the freedom, the club giving me the opportunity and the lads, who have been great with me since I came in. I’ve settled fast so I’m enjoying it here.’

There was particular gratitude reserved for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, both for the way he has helped Palmer individually, and the trust he has shown in his squad through the good times and the challenging periods this season.

‘The manager helps us all every day. Little conversations telling us what to do,' he added. 'He supports us massively so credit to the manager for getting us together.

‘He’s been amazing from my first day. From when I first came in he put his arm around me and gave me the freedom and the confidence to go out there and play well.

‘We have meetings and he believes in us and we believe in ourselves. Everyone’s going to talk when you’re not doing well, but we just need to try and block it out and focus on ourselves.’

That certainly seems to be what Palmer and his team-mates have done recently, as they bounced back from consecutive defeats to record two 3-1 away wins in a row, over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

A third at Manchester City would be the most impressive yet, but with our No20 on form and going back to his roots, he would surely love to play a starring role at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.