Not just goals and assists - Enzo Maresca compares Cole Palmer to Mo Salah

Not just goals and assists - Enzo Maresca compares Cole Palmer to Mo Salah

Hassan Abdulsalam 13:55 - 25.01.2025

Maresca has hailed Palmer's willingness to step up in challenging situations, similar to Salah's role at Liverpool.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has likened forward Cole Palmer's influence on his team to that of Liverpool's prolific goal scorer, Mohamed Salah.

Maresca's comparison extends beyond mere goal and assist numbers as he highlighted Palmer's willingness to step up in challenging situations, similar to Salah's role at Liverpool.

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Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer scored a cheeky Panenka against Tottenham (Credit: Imago) Cole Palmer scored a cheeky Panenka against Tottenham (Credit: Imago)

What Maresca said

Maresca believes his former club has no regrets about letting Palmer go.

"He [Palmer] is improving a lot but not just in terms of numbers of goals and assists," Maresca said in his press conference.

"The second half against Wolves for me was one of the best moments since I arrived here. He was showing personality, he was asking for the ball in any moment that the team needed it."

He continued, "Liverpool when they have some [tough] moments, Salah is asking for the ball. Arsenal when they have some problem, [Martin] Ødegaard is asking for the ball.

"We need that kind of player when we are in some difficult moments, who is turning to his teammates and saying 'Give me the ball, don't worry, I will be in charge.' This kind of personality that we have to show in difficult moments. Against Wolves in the second half, he was top.

Palmer celebrating a goal for Chelsea || Imago

"Having so many options there I think it was difficult for Pep to give Cole minutes. No one at City was thinking that Cole was not good enough. Everyone was sure that he is a top player. The problem was that if Cole played then Phil Foden has not to play, or [Kevin] De Bruyne. It's a matter of balance and a matter of decisions," Maresca explained.

In his first season with Chelsea, Palmer notched 22 goals in the EPL. This season, the Englishman has bagged 14 goals and 6 goals assists to help the Blues into the top four.

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