Enzo Maresca has warned Cole Palmer that rival teams will be paying special attention to him (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea could reap the benefits if rival teams focus their efforts on marking out of matches. Blues boss told the England international earlier this month that he should expect special attention from opposition defenders after his meteoric rise to the top of the game over the last year.
from in the summer of 2023 after agreeing to pay the Citizens an initial £40million in exchange for his services.
The attacker has since racked up an impressive 32 goals and 20 assists for the west London giants and was named PFA young player of the year and young player of the season at the end of the last campaign.
Maresca has noticed that other teams are targeting Palmer thanks to his performances in a shirt.
And ahead of his side’s clash with at the start of November, the 44-year-old explained: “After last season, for him it was the first season in terms of arriving at , probably it was the opposite – they weren’t too worried about marking Cole.
“This year, they are now worried because of last year so he has to get used to it. The next step is going to be more difficult but he can do it.”
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Chelsea star Cole Palmer failed to score or assist against Manchester United and Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Palmer failed to find the back of the net against the Red Devils and drew another blank when hosted a week later.
But if teams are pulling out all the stops to halt the 22-year-old, can take advantage of the tactic by hurting their rivals in other ways.
took advantage of the space he was afforded against the Gunners to fire in an equaliser after Gabriel Martinelli had nudged the north Londoners ahead. And against United, Moises Caicedo was the goalscorer as the points were again shared.
Nicolas Jackson has popped up with six goals and three assists this term, while Blues winger Noni Madueke has terrorised defenders all season and bagged a hat-trick against Wolves in August.
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have shown they have plenty of creativity and firepower in front of goal and are proving to be one of the top sides in the this season.
They will be desperate to return to the Champions League after breaking into the top four and will be confident of kicking on as they prepare to return to action against Leicester on Saturday.
So if Palmer continues to be thwarted like he was against United and , Maresca will be only too happy to unleash his other attacking players to get the results he wants.