Having known Cole Palmer for a number of years, Enzo Maresca is certain of the reason for the forward’s remarkable success since joining the Blues: He is consistently the same: modest. He still loves football as a child.

Palmer was a vital member of Maresca’s Manchester City Elite Development Squad that contributed to the squad winning its first Premier League 2 championship in 2021. The Italian manager later rejoined Pep Guardiola’s senior team at the Etihad as one of his assistants.

The two played together for a City team that won the treble in the 2022–2023 season. They have now reunited at Stamford Bridge for a third time after a second season apart, during which Maresca led Leicester City to the Championship title and Palmer established himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football.This season, they have carried on in the same manner, winning the Premier League’s Manager and Player of the Month titles in September. Together, they enabled the Blues to surge into the Champions League spots, finishing just four points outside of first place.

“This is just another trophy for him; he is winning so many right now!” When asked about Palmer’s victory as the September Premier League Player of the Month, Maresca gave a response.

The best thing about him is that he will always be the same—humble—and these types of accolades won’t change that. He loves football as a child does. For him, this is the best thing.”You can see how much he enjoys his football,” Maresca went on. Like a child, he is constantly requesting the ball so he may play and have fun. He is ecstatic.

He is consistently among the first people near the ball and wants it, as you can see in sessions. It is the primary idea.

Palmer started the season on the right side against his old team, Manchester City, but for the majority of the season, the 22-year-old has been utilized centrally in a role that has been referred to as “in the pocket” or “an advanced No. 8.”

Palmer has therefore had varying effects on games. He has occasionally dipped lower and drawn wide to recover the ball and launch attacks inside his own half. In other instances, though, he has demonstrated effective running in behind defensive lines while maintaining the same offensive and creative danger in the closing third that saw him finish the previous season with 27 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.

Cole Palmer is the Video Men’s Player of the Season 🥶Cole Palmer has been crowned the 2023–24 Chelsea Men’s Player of the Season.

With just seven games played thus far this season, Palmer already has six goals and five assists.

Maresca gave the following explanation when asked about Palmer’s tactical role on the team: “He can play in different positions for us because he is so good on the ball.” He can play as a nine, wide, and in the middle. We currently attempt to utilize him in the middle of the pitch in one position, but it really depends on our game strategy. On occasion, we move him somewhat wide, like he did frequently against Brighton.

We make an effort to allow him to enjoy playing football because, to him, that is what matters most.

When Maresca joined Chelsea, he already had solid working ties with players like Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Cesare Casadei, having previously worked with them at Manchester City and Leicester City, respectively.And it seems that in his first three months as Chelsea’s manager, he has begun to forge positive bonds with a great deal more of the team.

“I think relationships are really important because you need those relationships with the players,” Maresca clarified. Depending on the situation, you may need to be a little bit stronger or softer at times.

“However, it is crucial that they sense a strong sense of camaraderie from those around them, particularly the head coach, as that is how I prefer it.”

More from our conversation with Maresca will be available tomorrow on the official Chelsea app and website.