Maresca names Chelsea ace he feels had one of his “best games” vs Wolves with fans set to be surprised | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer had one of his best games against Wolves on Monday night despite not contributing with a goal or assist.

The Blues stopped their five game winless run with a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge as Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke all got on the scoresheet.

The three points moved Chelsea back into fourth and two points ahead of Newcastle and Manchester City as the race for Champions League football intensifies.

Maresca on Palmer performance

There were doubts over Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill before the game given they all missed training on Friday.

When the team news was released Palmer was the only one of the quartet to make it, with the other three all missing out.

The 22-year-old has once again been brilliant for the Blues this season with 14 goals and six assists in the league, with Maresca admitting he’s very proud to work with him.

Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea against Wolves. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Palmer was substituted late on in the second half, and after the game Maresca revealed the England international was playing through an ankle problem.

“Cole [Palmer] played with a small problem in his ankle,” Maresca told his post match press conference.

“For me tonight it has been one of the best games from Cole in terms of showing leadership in a difficult moment for the team.

“He showed himself second half asking for the ball. In the moment you have to see that kind of player not only when they score goals or give assists. They are very important for the team also when they need them and they are there.

“For Cole, with the problem in his ankle he was there second half asking for the ball. He was a little bit the leader in the team in that moment so we are very happy with the Cole performance.

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“Overall, the situation with the injuries in this moment and we try and adapt to find a solution.”

Chelsea will hope that Palmer can fully shake off the ankle issue as the Blues prepare for a huge game away at City on Saturday evening and Maresca has said he can still improve in many ways.