Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca: Cole Palmer Must Improve to Retain His Spot
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stressed that even prominent players like Cole Palmer must prove themselves to keep their starting position. He highlighted that Palmer needs to better handle being man-marked during matches and avoid letting frustration affect his performance.
Since his £42.5 million move from Manchester City, Palmer has been a key player for Chelsea, providing match-winning contributions. However, following a lackluster 0-0 draw against Everton, some fans have been calling for more opportunities for Joao Felix over the 22-year-old midfielder.
Before Chelsea’s match against Fulham, Maresca commented:
“Cole still has areas to improve, particularly when being marked one-on-one. Frustration can lead to a loss of focus, but he will learn how to deal with these situations better over time.”
Maresca explained that Palmer’s regular Premier League starts are part of a broader strategy to manage player workloads, particularly during Conference League matches, with Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia also being managed in a similar way. However, he made it clear that no player’s spot is guaranteed:
“I make decisions on who plays based on their performances, goals, assists, and overall contribution to the team.”
On Nkunku and Potential Transfers
Maresca also addressed the topic of potential January transfers, stating he wouldn’t force any player to stay if they wanted to leave. When asked about Christopher Nkunku, who has been playing a supporting role to Nicolas Jackson, Maresca said:
“If a player wants to leave, it’s better for everyone if they go. But we want Christo here because we’re happy with him.”
Pep Guardiola’s Critics
Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola, defended his former boss from recent criticism, particularly the notion that Guardiola’s career is on the decline. He attributed Manchester City’s recent struggles to an unusual number of injuries and added:
“People enjoy criticizing Pep when he faces challenges, but anyone who knows football understands that these issues are temporary. Pep is calm and focused.”
Maresca’s comments underscore his focus on player development and team stability as Chelsea looks to maintain its momentum this season.
