Cole Palmer has seamlessly continued his impressive Premier League form after being named PFA Young Player of the Year last season, already tallying seven goals and five assists in Chelsea’s first 12 matches of the campaign.
The 21-year-old forward will aim to maintain his outstanding performances this weekend as the Blues welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge for what promises to be an exciting showdown.
To manage his workload this season, Chelsea excluded Palmer from their Europa Conference League squad, meaning he will sit out tomorrow’s trip to Heidenheim, staying fresh for Sunday’s key clash in London.
In preparation for the game, Palmer connected with Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola at Cobham to record a ‘Masterclass’ video for the Premier League’s official YouTube channel.
During their session, which involved exchanging passes and reflecting on memorable goals from their careers, Palmer shared with Zola how his upbringing was instrumental in shaping his development as a footballer.
On his memories of playing football in the park with his father, Palmer said: ‘I think it was important because it was just fun. My friends were there, my dad was there and we just tried different skills and different things and I was just enjoying it.’
Palmer added: ‘Because I was always the smallest, playing with the older ones, it made you realise you had to work more on your skills.
‘I think now I’ve caught up to everyone in height and stuff, I find it easier.
‘I was smaller so I would just get pushed off the ball or the ball taken off me or kicked so I would have to think more.’
Fast-forward to the present day and Palmer continues to set the Premier League alight on a regular basis for Chelsea, seemingly without a care in the world.
But Palmer’s relentless drive and determination has proven a vital factor in his meteoric rise and Maresca has even had to tell the youngster to ease off on the training pitch at times.
Asked whether he stays behind after every session, Palmer said: ‘Yeah, if Maresca lets me!
‘It’s too much sometimes. [I would stay all day] if I could.’
Palmer was one of a number of players to pull out of England’s latest Nations League team through injury.
England captain Harry Kane went on to accuse players of ‘taking advantage’ of the situation, with options thin on the ground for the Three Lions’ victories over Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Asked about Kane’s comments in relation to Palmer after Chelsea’s win over Leicester, Maresca replied: ‘My reaction is that we finished the game 10 minutes ago, we won 2-1 and the rest, there is not any reaction, there are no comments. We finished the game 10 minutes ago.
‘I am not thinking about Harry Kane or what he’s saying. I don’t have any comments about this.”
Pressed on whether he or Chelsea had pressurised Palmer into withdrawing, Maresca said: ‘Me? Absolutely not.’
