Chelsea take on Leicester City in an FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, in our last match before many of the players will link up with the countries for international duty.

Three Blues will be joining Gareth Southgate’s England squad, after Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer all received the call yesterday.

Having already confirmed that Chilwell is in line to return from injury against Leicester, Mauricio Pochettino gave his view on why Palmer has been so impressive during his first season in west London since joining the Blues from Manchester City in August.

‘It’s no surprise that he is showing great personality and character,’ said our head coach. ‘The way that he adapted really quick to a new club like Chelsea and adapted to the demands of this coaching staff and dealt with the pressure of playing in a big club like Chelsea, that makes him special, and then his quality is there.

‘The most important thing is how he handles the pressure, because we have amazing players but sometimes they struggle and they need time to deal with that. It was amazing, the way that he adapted to a new club and now it feels like he’s been at this club for 20 years.

‘He plays easy, doesn’t feel the pressure and performs in the way that he can do, because the quality is there.’

Mauricio also discussed Gallagher’s continued involvement for club and country, explaining what the midfielder brings to the team, but also outlining how he can keep improving between now and the end of the season.

‘He is convincing the England manager because his commitment is always 200 per cent in every single appearance and training,’ continued Pochettino.

‘He needs to keep performing with this commitment always, because it’s one of his special skills, the capacity to always be ready to fight, to commit to help the team and then show his quality. He needs to keep believing and trying to improve in this way.

‘Another challenge is for him to score more goals. From the beginning of the season that was really tough for him, but now he has been scoring and he is feeling more confident. To grow in this direction is the most important thing for him.’