John Obi Mikel has identified the two Chelsea players who are absolutely vital at the club, including Cole Palmer.
The Chelsea squad is full of so much individual talent this season, which is why their positive form shouldn’t come as a shock. Admittedly, Enzo Maresca has made everything look relatively easy since taking charge as the Blues manager in the summer.
Frank Lampard watched live Cole Palmer tie his record during last weekend’s 4-2 home win against Brighton. Remarkably, they are now the only two players in Chelsea history to score four goals in two different Premier League matches

John Obi Mikel names automatic starters for Chelsea
According to John Obi Mikel, Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have established themselves as first names on the teamsheet at Stamford Bridge.
He said on The Obi One Podcast: “I think him (Moises Caicedo) and Cole Palmer. I think these two are probably, for me, the first names on the team sheet.”
Mikel further commented on Caicedo: “He’s made that position his. He knows I’m the first name on the team sheet. That confidence just goes with him everywhere. He’s everywhere on the pitch, putting in tackles and helping the team when we have the ball in terms of build up.”
The brilliance of Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo
Palmer is the obvious talisman for Chelsea right now. As mentioned above, he scored four goals in the recent Brighton victory to remind everyone of his star quality.
The 22-year-old attacker is playing some of his best football right now as central playmaker in a No.10 position, so credit must go to Maresca for using him in that free role.
As for Caicedo, who’s also 22, he’s similarly bossing things from a little bit deeper as Chelsea’s central midfielder.
He’s so important both in and out of possession for the Blues with his high intensity. Also, Jason Cundy said “brilliant” midfielder Caicedo is living up to his price tag via talkSPORT.
We agree that Palmer and Caicedo, who’ve started every league game this season, are integral to what Maresca is building at Stamford Bridge.
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