Rasmus Hojlund makes Cole Palmer Chelsea admission as Man Utd transfer stance emerges

Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund has praised Chelsea’s Cole Palmer amid transfer links to the Denmark international’s parent club Manchester United.

Rasmus Hojlund was left crestfallen after Napoli’s Champions League elimination as he hailed former Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho and Old Trafford-linked Cole Palmer. Antonio Conte’s side failed to secure qualification for the knockout rounds of Europe’s premier competition following a 3-2 reverse to Chelsea in Naples.

Hojlund continued his impressive goal-scoring form for the Serie A outfit, netting a vital second strike which put Napoli in front. However, the west London side fought back, with Joao Pedro’s double proving pivotal in ensuring Chelsea’s progression to the last-16, while the Italian club were knocked out.

Denmark international Hojlund, currently on loan from United until the season’s end, voiced his frustration at the Champions League departure and highlighted how Chelsea’s introduction of players such as Garnacho and Palmer – who grabbed two assists in his 45-minute cameo – swung the encounter in the Premier League side’s favour.

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He said: “It’s frustrating, but we played against a great opponent today. Of course, we wanted more out this game and we wanted to win so we could go through, but it’s not [just] in this game we should have got our points.

“We had a couple of games against Copenhagen and Frankfurt where we should probably have done better. Yeah, completely agree. There was good energy in the team.

“I don’t want to make any excuses, but we are very short on the team right now and you could probably see that a little bit in the second half. They put on Garnacho and Cole Palmer – and these sorts of players which are incredible.

“We’re struggling a little bit with the energy after the 60th minute.”

Palmer has found himself right at the heart of a mooted move to United. Reports emerged suggesting the Chelsea star had grown homesick in London and was considering a return to the north west, with the England international being touted for a move across Manchester to Old Trafford.

However, it has since emerged United are not planning a blockbuster move for Palmer with focus for the summer transfer window on other positions.

Head coach Liam Rosenior also emphasised that Chelsea consider Palmer as ‘untouchable’. He stated: “Cole’s an incredible player like [Moises Caicedo] sitting next to me and many players in the group. I’m not surprised at the timing [of the rumours].

“A new manager comes in and all of a sudden there’s people are [looking to] unsettle. It’s not true. Cole’s here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him on the pitch.

“There’s no reason for an assurance [from Chelsea’s directors]. It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere, there’s nothing in it. There’s no reason to have the conversation, that’s where I’m at.

“Cole is very happy. We’ve had numerous conversations with him on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him – because he loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth, there’s not point having any discussion about it.”