Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea star is happy after claims he’s become ‘frustrated’

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted Cole Palmer is happy at the club after a football pundit claimed that he was ‘getting frustrated’.

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney, who now does punditry work for the BBC, wrote in his recent Team of the Week that Palmer was unhappy at being substituted following the 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

Palmer, who has become Chelsea’s most important attacking player, was not substituted in the win against Newcastle and completed the full match.

The 22-year-old has only been taken off twice across Chelsea’s opening nine Premier League games of the season, in wins against Wolves and West Ham.

Ahead of Chelsea’s second straight match against Newcastle on Wednesday night, this time in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, Maresca is adamant Palmer is content.

‘I can see him enjoying,’ Maresca said when quizzed about Palmer. ‘That is the most important thing, that they can enjoy playing football.

‘You can see he is continuing to improve, no matter what position he is playing. He did fantastic [against Newcastle on Sunday]. They have to work hard and enjoy.’

Palmer has been in fine form for Chelsea, producing seven goals and five assists across nine Premier League games.

Last term, in his debut campaign as a Chelsea player, Palmer broke Eden Hazard’s club record for the most goals and assists in a single Premier League season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Maresca also provided an update on Jadon Sancho in Tuesday’s press conference.

Asked to explain why the winger – who is on loan at Stamford Bridge from Manchester United – has not played any minutes across the last two games, the Italian added: ‘Jadon is doing well.

‘For sure, players can not maintain the same level all season because the amount of games is huge.

‘The last two games he didn’t play because of a tactical decision; no more than that. For sure, he will play many games.’