Maresca on whether Palmer is targeted by rival players: “I don’t think so” | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he doesn’t believe Cole Palmer is being targeted by rival players after the forward was on the end of another horror challenge.

The Blues star was caught on the ankle by Wilfred Ndidi in the 22nd minute after the Englishman was chased down by the Leicester player. Referee Andrew Madley booked the Nigerian midfielder, with VAR also confirming the decision.

Palmer escaped injury free, but this was the second dangerous challenge the 21-year-old has faced in the last couple of weeks, after Lisandro Martinez also escaped a sending off after his dangerous challenge on the England international.

When asked whether he feels Palmer is being targeted by opposition players, Maresca brushed those suggestions aside, instead defending Ndidi:

“I don’t think Cole is the target. I don’t think that,” Maresca said. “What I think, and I said after the Manchester United game, when there is bad intention, there has to be a different kind of punishment from the referee. I think Man United was bad intention.

“I’m not saying Wilf [Ndidi] was bad intention because I love Wilf. Overall, when there is bad intention, I think the punishment has to be different.

“It’s not that we want it to be just our players. For me, it’s general; if any team has bad intention for another player then probably the punishment has to be different.

“Today’s foul? I don’t think so. I saw the clip and I don’t think it is a red, to be honest. The other one [vs Manchester United] I said that was a red card, for sure.”