Mario Melchiot shares the one major concern he has about Cole Palmer going into the new season
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!High Expectations for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer’s Stellar Season
There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer this season, following his impressive performance last term. After his transfer from Manchester City, Palmer couldn’t stop scoring and creating goals for Chelsea. In 45 games for the Blues, he netted 25 goals and provided 15 assists, setting high expectations for the 2024/25 season.
Doubts and Warnings
Darren Bent has raised questions about whether Palmer can replicate those figures this campaign. Additionally, former Chelsea player Mario Melchiot issued a warning that defenders will now be more prepared to face him. Speaking on talkSPORT (13/08/2024 at 08:13), Melchiot remarked:
“He is a great talent. Last season he was a joy to watch. He had freedom. He had the feeling that ‘I want to prove to you guys how good I am,’ and I think that was his key thing. I think this season it will be different for him. Why? Because we expect it. People also expect to face him that he is going to play like that, so they are going to try to stop him.”
Enzo Maresca’s Role
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be responsible for getting the best out of Palmer, much like Mauricio Pochettino did before. Having worked with him previously, Maresca is familiar with Palmer’s quality and will be looking to maximize his potential.
Position and Strategy
This season, it will be intriguing to see where Maresca positions Palmer. The Englishman frequently played on the right last term, but Chelsea has since acquired Pedro Neto, who can also occupy that position. Ultimately, Palmer’s position may depend on the system Maresca chooses. In a 4-3-3 formation, Palmer would likely continue on the right. In a 4-2-3-1, he might take on the No. 10 role.
Palmer’s Guaranteed Role
One thing is certain: Palmer will be a central figure in Chelsea’s lineup. As the team’s best player, he’s a guaranteed starter. The England international is among several exciting attacking options at Stamford Bridge, providing Maresca with a good problem to have as he navigates the upcoming season.
