Enzo Maresca maintains that Chelsea do not lean too much on Cole Palmer despite the youngster not featuring in the brilliant 5-1 win against West Ham last week.
Palmer had a groin problem and was unable to play, but 18-year-old Estevao managed the game well and got an assist in his first Premier League start.
Maresca agreed on the skill of Palmer but rejected the idea that Chelsea’s progress depend only on him. “Cole is our best player, no doubt. But last season, when he was not at his best for two or three months, we were still able to maintain our position in the top four,” remarked the Chelsea manager.
Fulham are next in line and have demonstrated their fighting spirit in their first matches. The Cottagers have twice been behind and ended up drawing, as Emile Smith Rowe has energised the bench against Manchester United by coming on and scoring last week. In his view, the club’s rigorous training regime is what makes for the success of substitutes.
Joao Pedro, who has been directly involved in six goals in his last four games, may once again provide support to Chelsea. On the other hand, Fulham will be waiting for Rodrigo Muniz who scored the winning goal at Stamford Bridge last season to make an impact.
The past has favored Chelsea, who have won 33 out of 36 Premier League matches against Fulham, though Marco Silva’s team are determined to pull off another surprise at the Bridge.
