Joy has returned.
Enzo Maresca once hoped that left-footed midfielder Cole Palmer – a cool but refined player – would deliver an effective performance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to reaffirm his status as Chelsea's best player.
At Lincoln Financial Field a few days ago, Maresca said he became the happiest coach after Palmer played his best game in the quarter-final against Palmeiras.
The England international scored a soft opening goal when only a third of the first half had passed, and also brought cohesion and creativity to Chelsea's attacking play throughout the match.
Palmer's best game was also Chelsea 's most spectacular performance since the start of the season.
In the first three group stage matches, with a packed schedule and harsh weather conditions requiring constant rotation, Palmer played alternately as a number 10, right winger, and left winger.
"He can play in any position," Maresca explained. In the match against Palmeiras, he positioned Palmer on the right but starting from the center.
That's also the position Maresca suggested after the Conference League final, where Chelsea thrashed Real Betis 4-1.
After lifting the Conference League trophy, Palmer surprisingly criticized the coach's tactical setup. "I'm fed up and tired of having to run wide and drop deep," Palmer stated bluntly.
The very next day, Maresca called his pupil aside for a private conversation to resolve any outstanding issues before heading to the United States for the FIFA tournament.
“I told Cole that I really liked how he took responsibility and was proactive when he had the ball. But why didn’t he do that from the first minute? Why wait? Why not do the same thing the next minute?” , Maresca revealed recently.
The Italian coach seems to have touched the "emotional chord" of the elegant attacking midfielder born in Stockport. He listened and changed.
Cold and fiery
Despite being a big fan of MU – the most traditional club in Manchester and England – Palmer was discovered by a Manchester City scout when he was six years old.
It was very difficult to convince the boy, but Palmer eventually settled down and grew up at Man City's academy, later making it to the first team under Pep Guardiola.
Pep let him go, something he often does with players who aren't guaranteed much playing time at the teams he's managed.
Chelsea quickly spent a significant sum of money to bring to Stamford Bridge a player who was both refined and cool-headed.
It was so cold that Palmer could barely see celebrating his goals. Now, occasionally after scoring, Palmer would ironically celebrate by pretending to shiver from the cold.
"He does things nobody else can do with the ball," Maresca praised Chelsea's attacking leader. A player with a cool exterior, but a fighting heart that always burns brightly.
As Maresca entered the press conference room at MetLife Stadium, preparing for the semi-final against Fluminense, he overheard much discussion about how the hot weather might pose difficulties for Chelsea.
“I watched the Real Madrid – Dortmund match on TV and the temperature was fantastic. Not only for the upcoming semi-final, but we are already used to playing in harsh conditions. The match starts at 3 pm (local time) , we will try to adapt.”
Masresca didn't want to hear any excuses. "We went through the whole season as the youngest team in the Premier League and still won. It's the same now," he concluded.
With Palmer at the helm, Maresca's Chelsea set numerous records for the youngest players in the Premier League as well as for their journey to winning the Conference League. They were just two games away from the FIFA World Cup title.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chelsea-dau-fluminense-maresca-cho-vu-dieu-cole-palmer-2419308.html
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