Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said Cole Palmer still has to work on some things to take his game to the next level.
The Italian tactician believes the Englishman must learn to keep his cool and maintain his focus when he comes under intense pressure from defenders.
Palmer, 22, has been nothing short of a revelation since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last summer. The talented forward has developed a habit of popping up with match-winning goals and assists, even against higher-ranked teams. Over the last one-and-a-half years at Chelsea, Palmer has featured in 50 Premier League matches, scoring 33 goals and providing 17 assists.
He has recorded 11 goals and six assists in 17 English top-flight outings this term, helping the Pensioners climb to second place in the league standings.
Enzo Maresca Says Chelsea Star Cole Palmer Must Improve Reaction in Difficult Moments
Palmer is one of the best players in the Premier League, but Maresca does not think he has perfected his game just yet. According to the coach, Palmer must work on his movement when he comes under pressure from defenders.
It’s the content you all need to see…
Cole Palmer reveals the best part of a Christmas dinner 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/c3StgUgsIf
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 25, 2024
Discussing Palmer’s performances amid increased attention from opposing players, Maresca said (via The Mirror):
“He still has to improve things in those moments.
“Especially because if you get frustrated, you lose your focus on the game. For sure, game after game, he’s going to understand more about when they mark him man-to-man, how to move.”
Maresca then suggested that even his best player was not immune from rotations in the Premier League.
The Chelsea coach added:
“We already protected him in the Conference League which is why he was not in the squad. That is why he always starts in the Premier League.
“[Wesley] Fofana was always starting in the Premier League because he didn’t play in the Conference and [Romeo] Lavia is the same. But this does not mean they are always going to play.”
Chelsea will return to Premier League action with a clash against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. They will be eager to secure maximum points after dropping two points in the tussle with Everton at Goodison Park on 22nd December.
