Chelsea Wins Club World Cup Opener, Maresca Urges Palmer Initiative

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has praised Cole Palmer for showing initiative and taking responsibility on the ball during their 2-0 win over LAFC at the Club World Cup, urging him to maintain this approach from the first minute of games. Palmer had previously expressed frustration with Chelsea's style in the UEFA Conference League final, describing it as involving too much backward and sideways passing, which prompted Maresca to encourage him to be more creative and assertive earlier in matches. Maresca highlighted Palmer's ability to receive the ball and challenge opponents one-on-one as the level of performance expected from him, calling him Chelsea's best and a top player. The win featured goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, with significant contributions from new signing Liam Delap, who impressed off the bench by assisting Fernandez's goal. Despite a sparse crowd, Chelsea showed a promising attacking partnership, with Maresca confident that Palmer and the squad can continue to perform well in their upcoming fixtures. The manager's comments reflect a positive response to Palmer's candid remarks and a clear directive to harness his talent for more direct and impactful play.