According to Michael Owen and Glenn Hoddle, Enzo Maresca isn’t using Chelsea’s standout player, Cole Palmer, in his most effective position.
Palmer was undoubtedly the Blues’ top performer last season, tallying 27 goals and 15 assists after his high-profile transfer from Manchester City.
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Given this, it was surprising to see the England international have minimal impact in Chelsea’s season opener on Sunday—a 2-0 home loss to the Citizens.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Palmer primarily operated as a No.10 and even when positioned on the right wing, he often moved inside. However, in Maresca’s debut match as head coach, the attacking midfielder was kept wider.
This strategic choice puzzled former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Owen, who commented on Premier League Productions: “Chelsea have bought so many players that can play in that position, haven’t they?
“You’ve got players who aren’t even in the squad who can play in that position too like Raheem Sterling. I’m sure the manager watched how good he [Palmer] was last season and the position he played in and everything else.
“And you would just think that when you’re picking a team, your best players play in their best positions and you fit around them. You’re not going to push your best players into unfamiliar positions.
“If I was the manager, he’d be first on the teamsheet in his favoured position and then I’d work around it but it seems like they’ve bought so many players that they’re trying to shuffle the pack.
“We heard the manager before the game say Cole Palmer can play in any of those positions around the front and I’m sure he can but I would prefer him to be at his best and getting more of the ball in a more central area.”
Former Chelsea player and manager Hoddle agreed, adding: “I don’t like to see [Palmer so wide]. Start out wide and be allowed to drift in.
“In the second half, I’m not sure if it was the manager or he just said to himself, ‘I’m going to get the ball’. You need him on the ball!
“That means he needs to be in the hub of the team where people are feeding him and he’s getting the ball twice as much. Things will happen off him.”
Despite the outcome, Maresca remained optimistic after the game, so it’s uncertain if he will adjust Palmer’s role for Chelsea’s upcoming match against Wolves on Sunday.
