Enzo Maresca ‘happy’ with Cole Palmer after angry reaction to substitution in Chelsea defeat | OneFootball

Palmer was unhappy at being taken off in 2-1 loss against Aston Villa

Maresca had confimed before the game that Palmer was capable of competing 90 minutes but he was replaced as Chelsea chased a winner.

Afer his number come up, Palmer shrugged his shoulders in frustration and tore into one of the Chelsea coaches in the dugout as he left the pitch.

Palmer expressed his frustration when he was taken off at Stamford Bridge

REUTERS

Asked if he was concerned with Palmer's angry reaction, Maresca said: “No, no. He was working very good. He was on the ball and off the ball, pressing, he was very good.

“We have another game now in 48 hours, so he was good and we are happy that he's back.”

Palmer has started four Premier League games in a row now since returning from a groin injury, but looks far from his best.

He has only scored one league goal since September and also looked frustrated at other points during the game against Villa, including with his own team-mates.

Pedro Neto had a chance to break midway through the second half but miscontrolled the ball and the opportunity went, prompting Palmer to drop to his knees with his head in his hands.

Chelsea have only won two of their last eight games in all competitions, and what looked like it could have been a positive season has hit a bump.

Maresca's side are fifth in the table and next face a home game against Bournemouth before a trip to Manchester City.

They are now 10 points behind Aston Villa and in serious danger of missing out on a top four finish if their current form continues.