There was a lot of talk surrounding the performance of Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer following their last Premier League game before the third international break of the season.
Enzo Maresca will have been unsure all week if his man was fit enough to feature against Arsenal on Sunday, with him picking up a knock in his last outing against Manchester United.
Maresca admitted it would be a risk starting Palmer, but that is exactly what he did, leaving a frustrated Joao Felix on the bench for another 90 minutes.
It was by no means the England international’s best performance in a Chelsea shirt. He has set extremely high standards since his move from Manchester City.
Palmer was spotted limping away from Stamford Bridge after the Arsenal game, suggesting he is not fully over the effects of his injury.
John Obi Mikel wants more from Cole Palmer in big Chelsea games
John Obi Mikel has called for Palmer to bring more in the big games, where it has to be said he has been mostly nullified this season.
He said on the Obi One Podcast: “We talk about Cole Palmer – I’m a huge fan. I think everybody is a huge fan. But again, the big games. You need to show up. That again is my only question with Haaland. So far, Haaland hasn’t done that for City. So far, Cole Palmer hasn’t done it for us.
“He was quiet against City, Liverpool the same, United again. The big games, I’d like to see Cole Palmer, because he’s an absolutely fantastic player, but the big games. You see Lamine Yamal, he shows up in the big games. I’d like to see Cole Palmer do a bit more of that.
“Chelsea fans don’t come for me, we all love Cole Palmer, but I’d love to see him provide those assists, do something.”
Pedro Neto steps up for Chelsea
The other attackers have had to step up in his absence, and this is exactly what Pedro Neto did on Sunday.
The Portugal international scored his first Premier League goal for his new club in fine fashion, and proved to Enzo Maresca that he should be a regular starter going forwards.
He may see his role in the side change a tad though. Micah Richards has called for Neto to play on the right-wing rather than the left.
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