Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to a comeback win against their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down early in the game before goals from Jadon Sancho and Cole Palmer drew the Blues level.
Chelsea then took the lead after some excellent footwork from Palmer resulted in Enzo Fernandez getting the chance to smash the ball into Spurs’ net, which he took.
The attacking midfielder then scored again from the penalty spot, a Panenka. Enzo Maresca enjoyed Palmer’s second penalty, but the 44-year-old still thinks he can improve.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea scores his team's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea...
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer being man-marked
Unsurprisingly, Palmer is starting to get man-marked in games, with the Englishman being one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.
It happened at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday after Yves Bissouma was put on him, and Maresca thinks that he still needs to adapt to receiving that kind of treatment.
Speaking about Palmer in his post-match press conference, which has been relayed by football.london, the Chelsea manager said: “Since we started, I have not seen Cole shooting penalties [in training]. In terms of the second penalty, he’s Cole. He’s Cole.
“The good thing about him tonight was Bissouma was marking him man-to-man, so he needs to learn how to play against a team that goes man-to-man with him, but he was fantastic. His pressing, his work off the ball. Nico, Cole and the two wingers.”
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Whatever the case, the 22-year-old still had an incredible game. “To watch this guy play football is an absolute joy,” Jamie Redknapp said about Palmer after the match.
What else has Enzo Maresca said about Cole Palmer?
In his post-match press conference, Maresca was asked how is Palmer so good at penalties if he does not practice taking them, with the England international having a 100% record from the spot.
In response, the Italian said: “Cole belongs to that kind of players. They are not normal players, they are top players. Top players do things that normal players, or us, cannot do that. It’s because he’s top. We can expect this from him.”
Those two penalties were Palmer’s 10th and 11th goals in the Premier League this season. It means that he is well on course to bagging 20 again.
Last term, the former Manchester City man scored 22 goals in 33 top-flight outings for Chelsea. Since the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign, there has not been a more productive player in England than Palmer.
If Palmer can maintain this form, then perhaps Chelsea can sustain this surprising title challenge that they are currently mounting. Next up for them in the Premier League is another London derby against Brentford.
Related Posts