Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has made the surprising admission that he personally intervened to ensure Chelsea's Cole Palmer would not receive a late call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024. The Italian coach took the decisive step to protect his former charge from what he deemed an unnecessary summer of tournament football.
Palmer, who enjoyed a spectacular breakout season at Chelsea, was already on Gareth Southgate's standby list. However, Maresca, who worked closely with the 22-year-old during their time together at Manchester City, contacted the Football Association to firmly state his case.
A Manager's Duty of Care
Maresca's rationale was rooted in player welfare. He argued that after a mammoth campaign featuring over 50 appearances for club and country, Palmer required a full and uninterrupted break to physically and mentally recuperate.
"I called the FA because I know what it means to play 50-55 games in a season," Maresca explained. "For me, it was clear. After that amount of games, what a player like Cole needs is to rest, to switch off completely. To go to the Euros, even if just to train, would not have been a break."
From City Prodigy to Chelsea Superstar
The decision highlights the unique bond and sense of responsibility Maresca feels towards the young midfielder. Their relationship was forged within Manchester City's elite development setup, where Maresca oversaw Palmer's progress before his £42.5 million move to Chelsea last summer.
Palmer's subsequent explosion onto the Premier League scene was one of the stories of the season. His 22 goals and 11 assists in the league made him Chelsea's standout performer and a strong contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Prioritising the Player's Long-Term Future
Maresca's intervention may seem unconventional, but it underscores a growing trend of managers taking a more holistic, long-term view of player management. The Leicester boss believes that a proper summer break is not a luxury but a necessity for sustaining peak performance.
"It's not about denying a player an honour," Maresca stated. "It's about making sure that when he returns for pre-season, he is 100% ready to go again. For his career, for his development, this rest is more important right now."
With Palmer now enjoying a well-earned holiday, Chelsea fans can look forward to seeing a refreshed and re-energised star leading their line when the new Premier League season kicks off in August.
