After Chelsea's Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland, we spoke with Cole Palmer. He told us it was he was to go aside and go back and that he just decided to go for it when he set the goals that won those trophy about real betis.
At that time we wondered privately how that would go with Enzo Maresca, and clearly, Palmer's words touched a slight nerve with his manager when the blues boss brought it up during his press conference after the game after beating Los Angeles FC.
Maresca told us: 'After the final of the Conference League, he said he was bored and received the ball and so he decided to do something else.
“The day after that interview I said to him:” But you can do that since the first minute. Why are you waiting for so long? Why are you waiting? Why don't you do the same after a minute? '
'Today (versus Lafc) he did exactly what we asked him to do. We are happy if he does that, because I often said that Cole is our best player. '
It seems that Palmer cannot have any illusions that make him the permit to tension under Maresca, and against Lafc he was again dictating himself, even if he is not hired in the goals.
Neto on his toes
The person who wins the 'Superior Player of the Match' prize from FIFA, a cringe title, I know, so give them the blame, not us, please then come into the press conference room to speak with the media.
After the Lafc victory, the duty fell to Pedro Neto, who works on increasing his productivity from the right wing.
This will be necessary when Estevao Willian arrives with him to compete for his position, especially since Chelsea is aware of the call around this Brazilian wonder kid that arrives from Palmeiras who needs time to adapt to the hardships of English football.
We asked Neto on Estevao who might come in to squeeze his place on the wing, and he said: 'When the club signs players, it is to help, as Liam Delap does now.
'To be honest, I didn't watch many competitions.
'I am always focused on myself and do my work. That's the most important thing. I'm here to help. '
The best way for the Portuguese to ensure that Maresca does not relegate him behind the teenager from Brazil is to continue to create and can be made up for with the incidental goal for himself, as he did here in this opener.
New string for Enzos Bow
Enzo Fernandez scored after a peach of a Delap cross during his Chelsea debut, and this is a look that we can expect a few times in the coming season.
Maresca devoted a lot of his first year to the management of Fernandez to arrive in the box, because he has that freedom to push in, while Moises Caicedo is seen as more of a night watchman.
Fernandez has improved over time in those movements and covers greater distances than anyone else for Chelsea, and his goal against Lafc, which essentially confirmed that their victory in the World Cup in the club was further proof of his adjustment.
James Close in cotton wool
Reece James is important for Chelsea – DUH – and they need him for the nearby after the injury history of the club captain.
It is unlikely that this Lafc victory is the last time that we see him and slash or Romeo Lavia immersed during the break for their own good.
This is given that they are every member of the Hamstringbende who missed more competitions than they would like in their career.
Maresca has praised for the match plans for individual players in collaboration with his medical staff, and there is a consensus that these two players need special attention in particular.
This is especially the case given the humidity in the United States that can be difficult on the muscles, so I told that Chelsea does not want to take any risks with those who have had such problems in the past.
Maresca's striker dilemma
Who starts for Chelsea at the top of their next game versus Flamengo? Your guess is just as good as mine between Nicolas Jackson and Delap until we then go on it on Thursday in Philadelphia Grill Maresca.
The Chelsea head coach is always open to tell us which goalkeeper he will use between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, but less for any other position, the feeling that the opposition gives too much benefit in their intel.
For what it is worth, my money is starting at Delap, although he still gets a grip on the tactical instructions of his manager, who naturally differ from Kieran McKennas at Ipswich.
Maresca wants to give each of his strikers their considerable part of the minutes during this tournament that, even if Chelsea it is on it that it is not a tour for the season, can still act as an actual mission prior to their start of Premier League.