Enzo Maresca has suggested Estevao Willian is not physically ready to replace Cole Palmer in the no10 role for Chelsea.
The Brazilian sensation has been an instant hit in the Premier League, delighting Blues supporters while predominantly playing on the right wing.
Chelsea have been rocked by injuries in every area of the pitch apart from midfield so far this season with eight players set to miss the visit of Liverpool on Saturday evening.
Palmer’s absences have perhaps been felt the most. A persistent groin injury has limited him to just two Premier League starts – the last of which lasting just 20 minutes against Manchester United.
Maresca revealed last week Palmer will not be involved again until after the October international break as Chelsea’s medical staff plot their next move to get the England international back to full fitness.
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His absence leaves a gaping hole in the no10 role. Facundo Buonanotte, signed on loan from Brighton, has made three appearances in that position and represents Maresca’s only natural option there with Palmer unavailable.
Estevao could be another option, with Maresca envisaging the Brazilian developing ‘exactly the same way’ Palmer did having initially played in a wider role during his days at Manchester City.
The Chelsea boss suggested however he may still need time to be ‘physically prepared’ for a role in the middle of the pitch.
‘We consider all our players to give them minutes and all positions,’ Maresca told a press conference on Friday when asked if Estevao can play the no10 role.
‘But also I think Estevao reminded me a lot of Cole when Cole was with me in the Under-23s at City. And when he was with us in the first team.
‘I think Cole’s path has been similar to Estevao’s path in terms of starting wide as a winger. And then slowly, slowly you can move inside.
‘The Premier League is completely different compared to other countries in the world. If you want to play in the middle you need to be physically prepared.
‘I think Cole now is like that. In the past he needed to develop that. And I see Estevao exactly in the same way.’