Enzo Maresca has expressed clear support for the idea of Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian playing together for Chelsea.
Palmer is available for selection again after recovering from groin and toe injuries. He could return when Chelsea host league leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Estevao has not started a Premier League match since the end of September but reinforced his case for more game time by scoring a fine goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
The only competitive start the two have shared came in September and lasted just seven minutes. Estevao was taken off early in the match against Manchester United after Robert Sanchez received a red card and the manager adjusted the formation.
Estevao has said he would like to play more often as a No10 rather than on the right wing. Palmer remains the club’s preferred No10 when fully fit. Maresca, however, believes there are ways to field both players in future lineups. “They can play together,” Maresca insisted. “It depends on which team [we are playing against], it depends a little bit on the game plan, but for sure they are excited.
“The fans are excited to watch both together. We are also excited, thinking that at the end we need always a balance between the two phases.”
Palmer has made only four appearances this season because of his recurring groin issue. Chelsea believe that problem is now fixed. “His team-mates are happy, we are happy, and the most important thing is that Cole is happy,” Maresca said.
“He is probably our best player,” the head coach said of Palmer. “Now we need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. But he has done fantastically in the past and will be very well in the future, no doubt.”
On Palmer’s overall influence at the club Maresca added: “A lot, a lot. He is, as you said, probably our best player.
“We are happy that he is back. Now we need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very well for this club in the future.”
Maresca also praised Estevao’s display against Barcelona and noted the selection dilemma that strong performances can create. “It’s always good when the ones that start and play do the right things,” he said. “It’s good because they give me a doubt always [over who to select] for the next games.
“But it’s important that when they have the chance, they play well, they do the right things. And then it’s a good problem for the manager always.”
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