Enzo Maresca has praised Cole Palmer’s potential to become Chelsea’s answer to Mohamed Salah, drawing comparisons between the England youngster and Liverpool’s talismanic forward. The 22-year-old midfielder played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday, helping to end the Blues’ five-match winless streak with a composed and commanding performance late in the game.
Maresca, whose Chelsea side currently sits fourth in the Premier League, highlighted Palmer’s growing influence on the pitch as his team prepares to face Manchester City, the defending champions, on Saturday.
“He’s improving a lot, but not just in terms of goals and assists,” Maresca said of Palmer. “The second half against Wolves was, for me, one of the best moments since I arrived here. He showed personality and was asking for the ball whenever the team needed him.”
The Chelsea boss likened Palmer’s leadership qualities to those of Salah at Liverpool and Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal, players who consistently step up in challenging moments.
“When Liverpool face tough moments, Salah demands the ball. At Arsenal, Ødegaard does the same,” Maresca explained. “We need that kind of player—someone who tells their teammates, ‘Give me the ball, don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility.’ Against Wolves, Palmer was top in that regard.”
Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City earlier this season, has quickly established himself as a key figure in the squad. Maresca’s comparison to Salah underscores the midfielder’s growing stature and the expectations placed upon him as Chelsea aims to secure a Champions League spot this season.
