As Enzo Maresca prepares to take the reins at Chelsea, he has already expressed his admiration for Cole Palmer, the Blues’ talismanic midfielder. Maresca, who is set to replace Mauricio Pochettino, has a history with Palmer from their time together at Manchester City, where Maresca was the Under 23 manager and Palmer was a rising star.
Maresca’s glowing endorsement of Palmer’s talents came during a press conference before Leicester City’s FA Cup match against Chelsea, where he praised the 22-year-old for finding his stride at Stamford Bridge. “Cole now is the player that everyone is watching,” Maresca said, highlighting Palmer’s ability to thrive in a more prominent role at Chelsea.
Palmer’s decision to leave Manchester City for Chelsea in a £40 million transfer has paid off, with the midfielder scoring 25 goals in his debut season and earning a likely spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024. Maresca acknowledged that Palmer’s desire for first-team football was a key factor in his decision to leave City, where he faced stiff competition from other talented players.
Maresca’s appointment at Chelsea is expected to be confirmed soon, with the Italian set to sign a two-year deal with the option of a third. He will bring his experience and knowledge of the game, honed from his time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, to the Blues. Additionally, he is likely to bring in Willy Caballero, a former City and Chelsea goalkeeper, as part of his coaching staff.
As Maresca prepares to take the helm at Chelsea, his relationship with Palmer will be an important factor in the team’s success. With his experience and guidance, Palmer is likely to continue thriving, and Chelsea fans can look forward to an exciting new era under Maresca’s leadership.