Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer has the same qualities as Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, as Chelsea's head coach praised his star player.
Palmer has starred at Stamford Bridge since joining from Manchester City in September 2023, having been directly involved in 53 goals (36 scored, 17 assists) in his first 50 Premier League starts for Chelsea.
The England international has continued his good form this season, with only Salah (31), Omar Marmoush (24) and Harry Kane (22) involved in more goals in Europe's top five leagues than Palmer (20).
Maresca compared Palmer's influence to Salah, highlighting his skills that not only deliver goals and assists but also carry his team through difficult moments.
“He [Palmer] is improving a lot, but not only in terms of the number of goals and assists,” Maresca said on Friday. “The second half against Wolves was one of the best moments for me since I arrived here.
“He showed personality, he asked for the ball whenever the team needed it.
“Liverpool, if they have some [tough] Moments Salah asks for the ball. Arsenal, if they have a problem, [Martin] Odegaard asks for the ball.
“We need a player like that when we are in difficult moments, who turns to his teammates and says: 'Give me the ball, don't worry, I will be in charge.'
“We have to show this kind of personality in difficult moments. He was top in the second half against Wolves.”
1 – Cole Palmer scored both the most goals from outside the box (7) and most penalties (8) in the Premier League in 2024. It was the most goals outside the box by a Chelsea player in a single year since Frank Lampard in 2005 (7). Versatile. pic.twitter.com/pbIUXxDIoH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 31, 2024
Palmer's contribution to 20 goals this season made him the first Chelsea player to score 20 or more goals in consecutive Premier League seasons since Eden Hazard did so three times between 2012/13 and 2014/15.
He faces his former side at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Chelsea prepare to visit Manchester City in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola allowed Palmer to leave in a move many suggest Manchester City may now regret, although Maresca believes the four-in-a-row champions made the right decision.
“Having so many options there, I think it was difficult for Pep to give Cole minutes,” Maresca said. “Nobody at City thought Cole wasn't good enough. Everyone was sure he was a top player.
“The problem was that if Cole played, Phil Foden didn't have to play [Kevin] De Bruyne. It's a matter of balance and a matter of decisions.”
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