'Cole's path was similar' - Estevao Willian told to follow Palmer example by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca amid talk of position change

Estevao's minutes have been managed quite meticulously by manager Maresca as the youngster adapts to the rigours of the Premier League. However, the €57 million (£50m/$67m) signing has shown flashes of brilliance despite only starting four games and managing only 326 minutes in the eight games he has played across all competitions. He bagged an assist in the 5-1 drubbing of West Ham in August, but has since failed to contribute to a goal directly.    

Palmer has had rotten luck with injuries in the first two months of the 2025-26 campaign. Ahead of the second league game against West Ham in August, the ex-Man City starlet suffered an issue during warm-up, forcing him to miss the game despite being named in the starting XI. It was then revealed that Palmer was diagnosed with a groin injury, which kept him out for three weeks. He returned to action against Brentford in mid-September, after the international break, but suffered a relapse in his groin during the dismal 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.   

Although the Blues have the on-loan Facundo Buonanotte to count upon in the No.10 role amid injuries to Palmer and Liam Delap, who is a centre-forward, Maresca believes Estevao can make the transition to a No.10 and plug in in the absence of their 23-year-old talisman.  

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Maresca said: "I think Estevao reminded me a lot of Cole when Cole was with me in the U23s at City, and when he was with us in the first team. I think Cole's path has been similar to Estevao's path in terms of starting wide as a winger. And then slowly, slowly you can move inside.”

However, the Italian head coach also admitted that the Brazil international will need to bulk up in order to thrive in the new role. “The Premier League is completely different compared to other countries in the world. If you want to play in the middle, you need to be physically prepared,” the former Leicester City boss said.

“I think Cole now is like that. In the past, he needed to develop that. I see Estevao exactly in the same way.”   

It will be interesting to see how Maresca sets up his team and who makes the cut in his starting XI against the defending Premier League champions on Sunday. Desperate for a win after two defeats and a draw in their last three league outings, the 45-year-old will be under pressure to get both his player combinations and tactics right against Arne Slot's men.