Enzo Maresca makes feelings crystal clear on Cole Palmer vs Morgan Rogers debate

Chelsea welcome Villa, who have won 10 matches on the bounce, to Stamford Bridge on December 27 and it is very much being subbed Palmer vs Rogers

Enzo Maresca would not swap Cole Palmer for Morgan Rogers despite the Aston Villa star’s red-hot form ahead of Saturday’s meeting between the two sides.

Chelsea welcome Villa, who have won 10 matches on the bounce, to Stamford Bridge on December 27 and it is very much being subbed Palmer vs Rogers.

The two England internationals are very close friends after coming through the Manchester City academy together, but are set to be battling it out for a space in Thomas Tuchel’s side for the summer’s World Cup.

Maresca, who coached Rogers during their time together at the Etihad Stadium, is clearly a huge admirer of the 23-year-old, but when asked if he would pick him over Palmer, the Chelsea head coach had a very clear answer.

“No, because I love Cole, and Cole is my player,” Maresca said. “They are two fantastic players. For sure they are going to be important during the game. But I think both players, they need the other 10 around them to support them and to help them to do the right things. For sure it's about Morgan, it's about Cole, but it's about the team.”

Palmer has featured only eight times for the Blues this season in all competitions, with the forward struggling with a persistent groin injury. Though he has featured in the last four Premier League games for Chelsea, with his minutes being managed.

Last weekend’s draw at Newcastle United saw Palmer complete 79 minutes and Maresca now believes he is ready to play out the full game when Aston Villa come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“I think he's ready for 90 minutes,” explained Maresca. “The progression for a player is 45, one hour, 70. He already played one hour against, I think, Everton. He played more than 70 against Newcastle. I think the progression is there.”

Elsewhere, Maresca is set to welcome Estevao Willian and Liam Delap back to the squad after their injuries. Estevao has missed the last two matches against Cardiff City and Newcastle due to a knock, while Delap has been out since the start of the month after he hurt his shoulder in the goalless draw in Bournemouth.

Maresca refused to be drawn on Chelsea being linked with Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo earlier in the week. The Blues made an initial inquiry to the Ghana international’s representatives but later on the same day, it became clear that the west Londoners would not make a move for the winger.

“I'm focused on Aston Villa,” Maresca said when asked about Semenyo. “I'm not focused on players that can arrive, players that can leave. The only focus for me at this moment is the Aston Villa game. I think that for sure it will be a tough game, because they are doing fantastic, and we need to be focused on that.”