Enzo Maresca could be tempted to complete a major Chelsea U-turn which will see Cole Palmer deployed in a new role. The Blues' talisman is often given the freedom to float across the pitch as he pleases but he will often be found in the central attacking position.
Despite the plethora of options at his disposal, the usual front four deployed by Chelsea in the Premier League involves Palmer, Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson. That leaves the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto on the bench with Maresca facing a major test to keep them all happy.
With it as such a major talking point, "I'll be honest with him [Nkunku] and all of them," he said in September. "I've said to them since day one we cannot play with seven or eight attacking players otherwise there is no defensive balance."
"Nico is playing in the Premier League and scored two goals [vs West Ham] and Christo played the other day and scored three. This is good because not one of them can drop, that means the other one has more chances; thinking and knowing that it is impossible for them to be at the same level all season."
Despite what Maresca has said, . Though the tactical plan did not quite work, Palmer looked impressive receiving the ball deeper with his back to goal and on the turn.
Interestingly, Maresca has already attempted to utilise Palmer in the build up and with the Chelsea man impressing in the role on a number of occasions, he may opt to experiment by deploying an extra attacker against teams Chelsea are likely to dominate which would see Palmer shuffle back.
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Considering his comments about defensive balance, it is somewhat unlikely that Maresca will adopt that tactical approach, however he may want to experiment by seeing how the team shapes up with one of Felix, Nkunku or Neto to come in alongside Sancho, Madueke and Jackson.
The attacking changes would likely see Moises Caicedo relied on heavily to repel attacks but he has already impressed this season and is certainly capable of marshalling the backline by himself.
