Enzo Maresca said he challenged Cole Palmer to be more creative and "take initiative" after the Chelsea talisman's complaints after their Europa Conference League final win.
Maresca's team kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC on Monday, with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez sealing the victory.
Indeed, the Blues' victory over the MLS outfit was the first competitive meeting between clubs from England and the United States.
Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Palmer played a pivotal role in Chelsea's second goal, slipping in debutant Liam Delap, who crossed for Fernandez to tuck home.
This was Chelsea's first game since beating Real Betis 4-1 last month, which saw them become the first side in history to win each of the European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League, Cup Winners' Cup, and the Conference League.
But after the match in Wroclaw, Palmer hinted at frustration with Chelsea's approach by claiming he took a personal decision to try and make something happen in the final third.
The 23-year-old claimed he was "sick of going backwards or sideways", with Maresca revealing he addressed Palmer's comments directly after their win over Betis.
"I had a conversation with Cole [today] and I said to him that I really like the way he was in terms of taking responsibility, taking the initiative on the ball," said the Chelsea boss.
"He was trying even on our side to receive the ball, trying to go one versus one against the player. This is the Cole that we expect.
"After the Conference League final he said that he was quite bored receiving the ball and so he decided to do something different.
The day after that interview, I said to him, I said, 'but you can do that since the first minute. Why are you waiting so long? Why are you waiting? Why don't you do the same after one minute?'
"Today he was exactly doing what we asked him to do. We are happy when he does that because I said many times that Cole is our best player, he is a top player and hopefully he can continue to do the right things."
Palmer had seemingly taken those comments on board against LAFC, posting more shots (six) than any of his team-mates at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
He also played more passes in the final third (32), while only Pedro Neto (five) had more successful dribbles than Palmer (two, level with Nicolas Jackson).
hudabdinrz
2
We love you Cole , and please carry on with us , you are amazing, City’s loss and a Utd fan , we are proud of you 💙
Richardoghale
0
I have said it,u be Mumu way just like to go everyone comment to reply. Enzo is 8 palmer is 10. we expect 10 to score more goals to 8 because 10 play more closer to 9 and that is why it is easy to use 10 as force 9 but you hardly see 8 use as force 9.what I said does not even corelate to what you are saying because palmer can keep scoring while Enzo can keep scoring too is that too much
Will Palmer score all goals you big fool? Enzo can play 10 because he's always in the box that's why we have the 🐙 and the back, you just don't have sense, small boy with a smart phone
Richardoghale
0
I have said it,u be Mumu way just like to go everyone comment to reply. Enzo is 8 palmer is 10. we expect 10 to score more goals to 8 because 10 play more closer to 9 and that is why it is easy to use 10 as force 9 but you hardly see 8 use as force 9.what I said does not even corelate to what you are saying because palmer can keep scoring while Enzo can keep scoring too is that too much
Why the insult, you son of a b**tch
KehindeSeun
1
Your point is noted but you don't need to insult someone but you correct them
You are right bro but this particular guy as insulted me first in one of my previous post that is why I insult him back. thanks
Pori
1
I have said it,u be Mumu way just like to go everyone comment to reply. Enzo is 8 palmer is 10. we expect 10 to score more goals to 8 because 10 play more closer to 9 and that is why it is easy to use 10 as force 9 but you hardly see 8 use as force 9.what I said does not even corelate to what you are saying because palmer can keep scoring while Enzo can keep scoring too is that too much
Your point is noted but you don't need to insult someone but you correct them
KehindeSeun
0
Enzo is the same as him if he doesn't score Enzo will score, so you guys want him to be scoring and no one else will score too, you guys seem to amaze me
I have said it,u be Mumu way just like to go everyone comment to reply. Enzo is 8 palmer is 10. we expect 10 to score more goals to 8 because 10 play more closer to 9 and that is why it is easy to use 10 as force 9 but you hardly see 8 use as force 9.what I said does not even corelate to what you are saying because palmer can keep scoring while Enzo can keep scoring too is that too much
Richardoghale
0
He said his tired of playing backward and side's. this is clearly the manager doing because I have been very hangry with palmer lately because he was playing back passes and take too many time to decide what he want to do with the ball. and that is what limited his goal contribution because you can't score or assist if you keep playing back passes PALMER ignore the stupid tactics and be more direct and be back to your best form
Enzo is the same as him if he doesn't score Enzo will score, so you guys want him to be scoring and no one else will score too, you guys seem to amaze me
Richardoghale
2
Some of us may be very stingy with the truth. But I will say it here, Cole Palmer is out of form. He needs to wake up, and work harder. Those complaints are just lame and have nothing to do with his form. He seems to lack ideas while on the ball. I just pray that he has not fallen to the English players syndrome as a result of the overhyping.
A midfielder with his stats from last season till now and you dare say Palmer isn't trying, bro Palmer is a bit slow right now that doesn't mean he's not helping the team, boy has been our best player till date since Chelsea signed him. He may be slow now for goals scoring and assists but he's all over the pitch and he never stops running so you guys should chill
Richardoghale
0
please Chelsea management bring Eze
We don't need him, Go get your team and sign him
Sohdinrty
4
He’s singing out his frustration, it’s obvious that comment is for the gaffer.. Why play Palmer on the wing when his strength is more from the 10 position, maresca should be aware that he’s playing Palmer too deep that’s why he dropped out of form… He wants to use him more of a play maker when we’ve got enzo in the game, that’s crazy because Palmer can operate more from the middle
cecekoprtz
1
thank to maresca, why can't palmer do that since
Tochukwu34
0
Some of us may be very stingy with the truth. But I will say it here, Cole Palmer is out of form. He needs to wake up, and work harder. Those complaints are just lame and have nothing to do with his form. He seems to lack ideas while on the ball. I just pray that he has not fallen to the English players syndrome as a result of the overhyping.
Your 💯👍
SirOkolugbo1
0
pama is playing too far from the 18 yard box, Enzo is playing more up front
my thoughts exactly ,he isn't a player to play that deep, he needs to make something happen up front ,asking him to drop deep is what caused his game to change ,compare him now and to him under Poch
Letbcimrs
1
he can do better
Hikcdeiot
1
please Chelsea management bring Eze
Keadkmuyz
6
Some of us may be very stingy with the truth. But I will say it here, Cole Palmer is out of form. He needs to wake up, and work harder. Those complaints are just lame and have nothing to do with his form. He seems to lack ideas while on the ball. I just pray that he has not fallen to the English players syndrome as a result of the overhyping.
emma23
2
pama is playing too far from the 18 yard box, Enzo is playing more up front
KehindeSeun
5
He said his tired of playing backward and side's. this is clearly the manager doing because I have been very hangry with palmer lately because he was playing back passes and take too many time to decide what he want to do with the ball. and that is what limited his goal contribution because you can't score or assist if you keep playing back passes PALMER ignore the stupid tactics and be more direct and be back to your best form
rataclmpry
1
We want competition all the positions. Cole is more favored
Richardoghale
5
Ice class, we know what you are capable of doing, keep it up man