Leicester City FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Cole Palmer has enjoyed another lightning start to the season with Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea star Cole Palmer says Enzo Maresca sometimes has to stop him from overtraining as he would ‘stay all day’ if left to his own devices.
Palmer has picked up where he left off in the Premier League after scooping the PFA Young Player of the Year prize last season, racking up seven goals and five assists in Chelsea’s opening 12 games.
The 21-year-old attacker will hope to continue his sparkling form this weekend when the Blues play host to Aston Villa in what promises to be an intriguing contest at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea left Palmer out of their Europa Conference League squad to ease his workload this term, meaning the England international will miss tomorrow’s trip to Heidenheim with a view to being well rested for Sunday’s clash in west London.
Ahead of the match, Palmer caught up with Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola at Cobham to film a ‘Masterclass’ video on the Premier League’s official YouTube channel.
While exchanging passes and watching back memorable goals from their respective careers, Palmer explained to Zola the pivotal role his upbringing played in his development as a player.
On his memories of playing football in the park with his father, Palmer said: ‘I think it was important because it was just fun. My friends were there, my dad was there and we just tried different skills and different things and I was just enjoying it.’
Palmer added: ‘Because I was always the smallest, playing with the older ones, it made you realise you had to work more on your skills.
‘I think now I’ve caught up to everyone in height and stuff, I find it easier.
‘I was smaller so I would just get pushed off the ball or the ball taken off me or kicked so I would have to think more.’
Chelsea v Servette FC - UEFA Europa Conference League Play-Off 1st Leg
Maresca often tells Palmer he is doing ‘too much’ after training (Picture: Getty)
Fast-forward to the present day and Palmer continues to set the Premier League alight on a consistent basis for Chelsea, seemingly without a care in the world.
But Palmer’s relentless drive and determination has proven a key factor in his meteoric rise and Maresca has even had to tell the youngster to ease off on the training pitch at times.
Asked whether he stays behind after every session, Palmer replied: ‘Yeah, if Maresca lets me!
‘It’s too much sometimes. [I would stay all day] if I could.’
Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Palmer has notched seven goals and five assists in the league this season (Picture: Getty)
Palmer was one of a number of players to pull out of England’s latest Nations League squad through injury.
England captain Harry Kane went on to accuse players of ‘taking advantage’ of the situation, with options thin on the ground for the Three Lions’ wins over Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Asked about Kane’s comments in relation to Palmer after Chelsea’s victory over Leicester, Maresca replied: ‘My reaction is that we finished the game 10 minutes ago, we won 2-1 and the rest, there is not any reaction, there are no comments. We finished the game 10 minutes ago.
‘I am not thinking about Harry Kane or what he’s saying. I don’t have any comments about this.”
Pressed on whether he or Chelsea had pressurised Palmer into withdrawing, Maresca responded: ‘Me? Absolutely not.’
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