Chelsea face scary Cole Palmer threat with pressure on Enzo Maresca to produce

Enzo Maresca has been sent a timely reminder about the future of talisman Cole Palmer following Chelsea's solid start to the Premier League season.

Palmer has dominated headlines following the weekend win against Brighton, when the England international became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match.

Understandably, manager Maresca heaped praise on the 22-year-old after the game, commenting: "He has got goals, assists, was voted the best player in the Premier League, but this doesn't change the way he is. He's a simple guy, a humble guy and for me this is the most important thing.

"Today with young people, young boys, they change very easy and the best thing for me is that he enjoys it, he loves football, and is always the same way. It's something fantastic for him."

However, while Palmer might be content with simply playing week in week out, if he continues to improve at such a rapid rate, the attacker might find he quickly outgrows the Stamford Bridge outfit.

That is if Chelsea continue to finish outside of the Champions League positions, as has been the case in each of the previous two campaigns.

Palmer was no doubt forced to watch on with an envious eye this week, as England team-mates Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden both found the scoresheet during their club's Champions League fixtures.

Even though Chelsea did qualify for continental competition last term, Maresca and co. took the decision to leave Palmer out of the club's Conference League squad, in a bid to manage the ex-Manchester City ace's minutes.

While a commendable step to help manage the youngster's development and fend off the threat of long-term injuries, a player of Palmer's quality will want to be featuring on the biggest stages.

While Chelsea's start to the Premier League season has been scintillating, Palmer's exquisite form only serves to heap more pressure on the shoulders of Maresca.

Only Harry Kane has been involved in more goals since the start of September 2023 than Palmer across Europe - an indication of his status among the sport's best players.

And as shown in recent transfer windows with the likes of Kane heading to Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid, Europe's top clubs aren't afraid to poach the best English talents.

Something Maresca could avoid by delivering Champions League football this season.