Enzo Maresca brands Cole Palmer the "best player" in the Premier League

Palmer joined the Blues from Man City in the summer of 2023 for around £40m with the 22-year-old largely unproven in the Premier League at the time.

But the England international contributed an incredible 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 Premier League appearances in his first campaign at Stamford Bridge.

And Palmer has largely continued that form into this season with seven goals and five assists in nine Premier League matches for high-flying Chelsea.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca even branded him the "best player" in the Premier League earlier this season when he scored four goals in a match against Brighton.

Maresca said: "He scored four but he also could have scored two or three more. It's important he stays hungry, ambitious and I know him from many years ago with the under-23s at City and with the first team.

"What he was as a boy is exactly what he was three or four years ago. Goals, assists, best player of the Premier League - this doesn't change the way he is. He's a humble guy and for me it's the most important thing.

"He's a top player and today in football young players can change quick. Cole scores goals and never changes and this is the most important thing.

"He's special player, he's a simple and humble guy. He doesn't need to tell people how good he is because you can see it clearly." 

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