Enzo Maresca was given very little to worry about as far as Chelsea are concerned in their Club World Cup campaign’s opener against LAFC.
The Blues were far from their best but still had enough to win 2-0 against their MLS opponents. Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez found the net either side of half-time.
Maresca named a side very similar to the one who had won the Conference League final less than a month ago, which included a start for Cole Palmer.
The England international turned the game against Real Betis on its head single-handedly with two brilliant assists.
Cole Palmer looks on during Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Palmer hinted at the time that he had become ‘bored’ with the way Chelsea were playing before getting back into the game.
Some perceived this as a dig at Maresca, however if it was the manager has now responded by stating that there was no case to be had against him.
The boss told Nizaar Kinsella that he had questioned Palmer as to why he had to wait until the second half to show his best abilities, when he could do some from the start of the game.
He said: “After the Conference League final, he said he was quite bored receiving the ball but decided to do something different. I said to him you can do that from the first minute, why did you wait? We ask him to do that because we are happy he does that. Cole is our best player, a top player.”
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Enzo Maresca looks on during Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Palmer’s exciting new Chelsea partnership
Chelsea fans got the first sneak peek about the new attacking partnership they are set to see at Stamford Bridge this season during the win over LAFC.
Liam Delap enjoyed a very bright debut off the bench, assisting Fernandez for his goal and creating another chance in less than half an hour of action.
John Obi MIkel was impressed by Delap and Palmer’s combination, even if he did continue to push the narrative that Chelsea fans would’ve rather signed Victor Osimhen.
If the Englishman’s debut is anything to go by, that won’t be a popular opinion in the fanbase soon.