The head coach addressed the media ahead of our fixture against Nottingham Forest tomorrow, with those reporters present focused more on the transfer window shutting than our return to Premier League action.

• Chelsea injury update

• Our first words with Cole Palmer

• Rail strikes affecting tomorrow's game

Pochettino said he expected Palmer to be our final signing, but he acknowledged things could change in the coming hours. For now, he is happy with the squad at his disposal, and he explained what he hopes to see Palmer bring to the Blues.

‘I think he fits the project,’ said Pochettino.

‘He is a young, talented player. Of course, he decided to come because he expects to play maybe more and be more important here [than at Man City], but that is not the most important thing. He wanted to come because he has seen the Chelsea project is for him.

‘He wants to improve his game and he needs to show he is better than his team-mates and deserves to play and find his place.

‘We need to be careful with young guys, like experienced players they need time to settle,’ added Pochettino when asked if Palmer could feature tomorrow.

‘He needs to settle because Manchester is different to London, the club and culture is different. Before starting to perform, he needs to settle, be in his space and be comfortable. We will not put pressure on him.’

Palmer is reuniting with his former Manchester City team-mate Raheem Sterling, who despite his outstanding start to the season was not selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Pochettino was asked about his omission, as well as Levi Colwill’s first inclusion at senior level.

‘All my players deserve the best. I’m not going to say nothing against the national team managers, it’s their decision.

‘What we want to do is provide better tools and we are going to push even more the players who didn’t receive the call from the national team today, so next month they have the possibility to be called up.

‘We want to push Raheem even more, to try to convince the manager. I’m sure he is going to work hard and it’s going to be motivation for the next month. He needs to keep working, scoring and assisting and helping the team win points.

‘Levi is a player who performed really well last season, and at the Under-21 Euros, and now started the season really well with Chelsea,’ continued Pochettino.

‘He is a big talent, a player who can play in different positions, centre-back and full-back. He is a great character. He is a great player and I’m happy for him. I’m hoping the next international break we have more players involved.’

Pochettino should be able to welcome Mykhailo Mudryk back into the fold after injury. The attacker has missed our two recent home wins, and the head coach underlined the significance of helping him get back to his best physically if we are to see the best of him technically.

‘He’s a very talented player,’ stressed Pochettino, ‘but before talking about football, he needs to feel comfortable, feel really strong in his body.

‘He suffered from before the beginning of pre-season. He only played one game at the [Under-21] Euros because he was injured.

‘Here he was never consistently training, something happened. Now we are focused on trying to help him, and for him to feel strong and healthy. Nobody can perform if he doesn’t feel strong and confident in your body.

‘We need to build his confidence. We are working on areas for him to feel good. We hope in the next few weeks he starts to find his best form.’