Maresca on Palmer: ‘The best player in the Premier League’

Enzo Maresca was delighted with Cole Palmer performance as he scored all of Chelsea’s goals in their 4-2 win over Brighton.

The 22-year-old scored all four of his goals in a 20 minute spell in the first half, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score four in the first period.

All six goals in the game were scored before half-time, as Maresca’s men comfortably saw off the Fabian Hurzeler’s side in the second period.

Victory for the Blues see them climb to third in the Premier League table, having been unbeaten since losing to Manchester City on the opening day.

When asked about the England star, Maresca was admirable about the forward’s humble persona after a meteoric rise to the top:

“Yeah, for sure, when you score four goals,” Maresca said. “I just said to Cole, he scored four but he could have scored two or three more. It is important he continues to be hungry and ambitious.

“I know Cole from many years ago. I had him for one entire season at City and then the first-team. The best thing he has is the way he is today as a boy, he was exactly that way two or three years ago. So, goals and assists, the best player in the Premier League; this does not change the way he is. He is a simple guy, a humble guy – and for me, this is the most important thing.

“He is a top player. And the important thing about the previous thing, today in football, young players change very quick. They score one goal and they think they are already… Cole has scored many goals, many assists, he is a top player but he has never changed. This is the most important thing.

“I think already loads of good things have happened in his life as a professional to give him the chance to change. But he didn’t change, so it probably means in the way he is, he is always going to be that way.

“I have four kids; I have one boy and three girls and my boy is 11 and I would like to have my boy for many things to happen but not for him to change because with young players, with young boys, they change very easily. The best thing for me is that he enjoys, he loves football, he’s always in the same way and it is something fantastic for him.”