EPL: Michael Owen tells Maresca he’s playing Chelsea star in wrong position

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker, Michael Owen, believes Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca isn’t playing Cole Palmer in his best position.

Palmer was Chelsea’s best player last season under Maresca’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists.

Under Pochettino, Palmer mainly played as a No.10.

But in Maresca’s first Premier League match against Manchester City at the weekend, the England international played in the wide area from the flank.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Owen said, “Chelsea have bought so many players that can play in that position, haven’t they?

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“You’ve got players who aren’t even in the squad who can play in that position too like Raheem Sterling. I’m sure the manager watched how good he [Palmer] was last season and the position he played in and everything else.

“And you would just think that when you’re picking a team, your best players play in their best positions and you fit around them. You’re not going to push your best players into unfamiliar positions.

“We heard the manager before the game [Chelsea vs Man City] say Cole Palmer can play in any of those positions around the front and I’m sure he can but I would prefer him to be at his best and getting more of the ball in a more central area.”