Chelsea players and staff were amongst the nominees for FIFA’s awards for Player and Coach of the year, which were announced last night.
Cole Palmer was named in the Team of the Year for his exceptional performances, likely being boosted by his brilliant displays in the Club World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel voted Palmer as his second best Player of the Year, potentially showing his World Cup prospects are going to be just fine despite recent injuries.
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Cole Palmer and Enzo Maresca
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Enzo Maresca was also a nominee to win the Coach of the Year award, however was beaten to the accolade by PSG’s Luis Enrique.
Cardiff City v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Quarter Final
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Gianluigi Donnarumma voted for Enzo Maresca as Coach of the Year
This is despite Chelsea’s dominant display against the Champions League winners in the Club World Cup final, a result which has clearly stuck in the mind of one of the opposition players from that day.
National team captains are afforded a vote, and according to FIFA’s official website, Gianluigi Donnarumma voted Maresca as his best Coach of the Year.
A number of other players voted for the Chelsea boss in this award, including the captains of Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.
The backing in Maresca from outsiders is further proof that the bizarre relationship the club chiefs seem to have with the boss is them getting the wrong end of the stick.
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Chelsea fans have given their backing to the boss after they booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, although the saga at the top does not look like it is finished just yet.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pointing
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Maresca could have been coaching Donnarumma this season
After the Club World Cup final, reports began to emerge that Chelsea were interested in signing Donnarumma to bolster their goalkeeping options.
The Italian ended up joining Manchester City, where he has hit the ground running in England. Erling Haaland described Donnarumma as ‘unbelievable’ earlier this season (Manchester World).
Chelsea have been buoyed by the fact that Robert Sanchez has enjoyed a far better season between the sticks than before, sitting joint top of the table when it comes to clean sheets.
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