“What you want to hear” – Mikel reveals why he was impressed with Chelsea ace despite struggles vs Leicester | OneFootball

John Obi Mikel has revealed why he was still impressed with Cole Palmer despite his penalty miss against Leicester on Sunday.

The Blues ground out a hard fought 1-0 win against the Foxes to move back into the top four, with Marc Cucurella scoring the only goal with a fine strike on the hour mark.

The game was more comfortable than the scoreline suggested, although Chelsea could have won by a wider margin had Palmer not missed a first half penalty.

Mikel reveals why he was still impressed with Palmer vs Leicester

Whilst the likes of Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo impressed, it was another difficult afternoon for Palmer.

The 22-year-old is in a difficult run of form, and despite scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in the league so far this season he’s not scored or assisted in his last seven league games.

The penalty miss, the first of his senior career summed up where Palmer is right now and you can tell his confidence is down, although Maresca revealed after the game the attacker had been ill but still wanted to play.

Palmer hasn’t scored in his last seven Premier League games. (Photo by Chris Lee/Chelsea FC)

Enzo Fernandez showed real leadership and he was the first player to offer words of encouragement to Palmer after the miss.

Palmer will no doubt bounce back and it’s normal for players to go through dips in form, but Mikel was still impressed despite the penalty miss.

“The manager’s touched on it. He was sick, 48 hours, he didn’t train, he wasn’t feeling really well, but then he came out to help the team,” he told his Obi One Podcast.

“This is what you want to hear from players! This is what you want to see, you know what I mean? He’s the main man, he knows that, he knows the team needs him.

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“We want to finish in the top four and he’s come out and he’s performed the way he’s performed.

“Yes, he missed the penalty, you can forgive him. He’s scored how many penalties, 12, and missed? First one he’s missed, come on, come on. I don’t think we even need to mention that. You can forgive him for that.”