Maresca was able to hand minutes to some of Chelsea’s exciting young talent as the clock wound down at Stamford Bridge, with Mathis Amougou, Tyrique George, Shim Mheuka and Josh Acheampong all introduced in the second period.
Maresca remains confident his Chelsea side can secure a top-four finish but knows his players ‘need to be ready’ right up until the final day of the season.
Palmer, so often Chelsea’s talisman since his arrival from Manchester City, has experienced an uncharacteristic dry spell in front of goal of late and was left visibly disappointed as referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle to signal full-time in west London.
Enzo Maresca lifted the lid on his chat with Cole Palmer after his Chelsea side returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Southampton.
You cannot expect Cole Palmer, every season or every game, to be like last season or like the first part of the season.
