Enzo Maresca has suggested there is another player in his Chelsea squad on the same level as Cole Palmer, even after his heroics in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday. Some might believe him, too, if the player in question actually got a game.
Having gone three games without a goal prior to the game, Palmer turned on the style in front of the Blues faithful at Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old provided the assist for Nicolas Jackson's opener and then curled home a wonderful strike in the final quarter of the game to round off an improved performance.
As Palmer walked off to a grand ovation from the supporters, it was difficult not to have some sympathy for Joao Felix. With just one start in the Premier League since rejoining the club for a second spell, Felix was given only a short cameo to impress.
Related articles
The Portuguese has performed to a high standard when starting in the UEFA Conference and Carabao Cup, scoring five goals and assisting one in 13 appearances this season. Yet because of Palmer, the 24-year-old is very much on the periphery.
But when asked about the pair, Maresca heaped praise on Felix by suggesting that he - along with Palmer - were the two players in his squad gifted with the special ability to see things their counterparts couldn't.
"Cole Palmer, Joao Felix is the reason why people pay for tickets; to watch that type of player," the Italian said. "Cole Palmer can see things, like Joao, that the rest cannot see. It doesn't mean the rest are not good but they are different from the rest."
It represents quite a show of confidence from Maresca, who is not one to mince his words about certain individuals - Mykhaylo Mudryk knows that better than anyone. So, why doesn't he play Felix when he clearly rates him?
Balance is an important issue for Maresca in his team and it's his belief that Felix, Palmer and Christopher Nkunku cannot feature in the same side. Others might disagree, especially after watching both Felix and Palmer impress in the 2-1 win over Leicester when starting together for the first time. Nkunku, meanwhile, has 11 goals this season in all competitions.
He also said the same thing about Enzo Fernandez, who started against Leicester and picked up man of the match. Then the Argentinian scored in back-to-back games with a fine effort against Villa.
Is it a case of mind games from Maresca, to spark some competition amongst his players? Does he believe Felix needs a confidence boost? In any event, the best thing to do with a player who is on Palmer's level of entertainment might be, quite simply, to play him.
The former Atletico Madrid star has a long way to go before he reaches Palmer's numbers, given the Englishman bagged 22 league goals during the 2023-24 season. But it's unfair to compare them when Felix isn't even starting games for Chelsea.
He may well get the chance on Wednesday away at Southampton to prove his manager right and lighten the burden on Palmer to produce.
