Chelsea will win Carabao Cup final if ‘next Kevin De Bruyne’ is unleashed against Liverpool

Latest Chelsea news and gossip as a club legend has told Mauricio Pochettino which two players are vital to the Blues' chances of beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final

Chelsea have been told why Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher are crucial to their chances of winning the Carabao Cup.

The Blues face Liverpool in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to win his first trophy as the club's manager. Chelsea defeated Middlesbrough in the semi-final, while Liverpool claimed a victory over Fulham over two legs.

Pochettino's first season at Stamford Bridge has seen the club enjoy success in the cup competitions but an inconsistent run of results in the Premier League. Chelsea are in the fifth round of the FA Cup, as well as the Carabao Cup final, but are 10th in the top-flight standings and well adrift of the top-four standings.

Palmer and Gallagher have been key players in midfield for Chelsea this season. Gallagher has scored three goals across his last three appearances for the Blues, while Palmer has 14 in all competitions following his summer move from Manchester City.

Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has explained why he's pleasantly surprised to see his former club back at Wembley for a major final. Nevin also argued why good performances from Palmer and Gallagher may be needed for the Blues to beat Liverpool.

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino makes brutal Liverpool 'fair' admission ahead of Chelsea Carabao Cup final

READ MORE: Raheem Sterling dropped, Thiago Silva decision, Cole Palmer role - Chelsea line ups vs Liverpool

“After Roman Abramovich left, I remember saying that I didn't think I'd be at a Chelsea final in my lifetime," Nevin told Lucky Block.

‌“Chelsea will need to be at the top of their game and they'll need their best players to perform. They need players like Cole Palmer - players with energy.

‌“Cole Palmer could be the new Kevin De Bruyne. I've said that before and took a lot of stick for it. I even said it on national radio when he was still at Manchester City!

"I don't make hyperbolic statements and I don't exaggerate, so it was a big statement. If you watch Palmer, you can see it now. He picks the right ball and he's the one who creates everything. He's the one who makes Chelsea special.

“If Palmer stays fit and Conor Gallagher maintains his energetic performances, then it wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility to see Chelsea win the League Cup.

"However, it's imperative that their midfield plays the way it did against Aston Villa. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have to maintain that level, as they were taught a lesson at Anfield. They can't afford to do that again.”