Cole Palmer is 'Premier League's best player' insists Enzo Maresca after four-goal Chelsea haul | OneFootball

Blues star has not got carried away with all the hype despite his rapid rise to superstardom at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca hailed Cole Palmer’s “special” display in Saturday’s victory over Brighton, and believes it is the Chelsea star’s grounded attitude that sets him apart from even the best young talents in the game.

Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match as he inspired a 4-2 triumph at Stamford Bridge. Remarkably, the 22-year-old could easily have added to that tally, striking the post before half-time and then missing a one-on-one midway through the second half.

Maresca worked with Palmer when he was in charge of Manchester City’s Under-23 side and again on Pep Guardiola’s first-team staff and says the fact that the England international has not been caught up in his own hype is a key part of his success.

“The best thing he has is that the way he is today is exactly how he was three or four years ago,” Maresca explained. “Goals, assists, best player in the Premier League, this doesn’t change the way he is. He’s a simple guy, a humble guy, and this is the most important thing.

Humble: Cole Palmer has not changed despite his rapid ascent to stardom, according to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

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“Today in football, young players change very quick. They score one goal and they think they are already [special]. Cole scored many goals, many assists, he’s a top player but he’s never changed. He’s a special player, a simple guy, a humble guy. You can see clearly how good he is.”

Palmer enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season after joining City from Chelsea last summer, winning the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award and going on to make England’s squad for Euro 2024, where he would score in the final defeat to Spain. For much of last season, Palmer played off the right-flank but this season he has been given the keys to Maresca’s side from No10 and already has six goals and four assists in six League games.