Chelsea star player Cole Palmer has recently named as the England Men’s Player of the Year. After an outstanding debut season with the Blues, the Englishman has started the new season where he left from. Palmer had the most goal contributions in the top 5 leagues since the start of last season (43).
After leaving the defending champions Man City for a fee of £40 million, the 22-year-old had won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his performances with Chelsea last season. As Peter Drury said, ‘City’s boy is Chelsea’s man.’
Palmer used to play as a right winger last season under Mauricio Pochettino. But this season things have been different so far. The change of manager has also affected Palmer’s style of play. As Chelsea sacked the Argentine coach earlier this summer to bring in the former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca. The Italian has done well with the team so far by taking some bold decisions just after his arrival.
He excluded veteran players like Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and others from his team list as he believes they don’t fit in his tactics. Apart from that, his one of biggest decision to change Cole Palmer’s position has also worked well so far.
Cole Palmer- the new number 10 of Chelsea
Cole Palmer generally operated on the right side in the last season with the Blues. But new manager Maresca has given that right flank to Noni Madueke in the league campaign this season. And Palmer is operating in a more central area, as an attacking midfielder so far. Last season Enzo Fernandez played in that position. But now he is dropped down to partner up with Moises Caicedo in a double pivot role.
The change of position has allowed Palmer to have more freedom in the pitch. Now, he can drop back in any part of the pitch to carry forward the ball or play a through ball for the forwards. Maresca had planned this to involve Palmer more into the game. As rival club’s best players Martin Ødegaard and Kevin De Bruyne plays in a similar position.
Though he doesn’t wear the number 10 jersey for the Blues but he operates as one. Apart from that, the new role hadn’t affected Palmer’s scoring record a bit. As the Englishman has already scored 6 goals and provided 5 assists in the league as a cam. And we will be hoping to see more of ‘Cold’ Palmer’s magic as the season continues.
Enzo Maresca discusses about Palmer’s role
Cole Palmer became the first ever Premier League player to score 4 goals in the first half, when he played against Brighton last month. So, it is almost impossible to keep that man out of the scoring sheet, no matter in which position he plays. Blues manager Enzo Maresca have recently discussed about his tactics with Palmer. He believes due to Palmer’s goal scoring abilities; the lad can be used as a number nine too. Via Chelsea’s official website, the Italian said,
“He can play in different positions for us because he is so good on the ball. He can play wide, in the middle, as a nine.”
Maresca further added,
“We try to use him in one position at the moment in the middle of the pitch but it depends a little bit on the game plan we have and sometimes we move him wide a little bit like he did many times against Brighton. We try to give him the opportunity to enjoy his football because, with him, that is the main thing.”
We have only seen Cole Palmer operating as a number 10 so far this season. But we never know where he will be playing as the long season continues. So it will be interesting to see if Maresca decides to put the Englishman on the right flank again. But as of now Madueke is doing great on that side and fans will love to stick with that only.
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