Sergio Aguero worked with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)
Sergio Aguero admits he was ‘quite shocked’ by Cole Palmer’s sensational form for Chelsea and backed his former colleague Enzo Maresca to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign at Chelsea following his £40m move from Manchester City last summer, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 33 Premier League games.
The 22-year-old, who is set to feature for England at Euro 2024, was named the Premier League young player of the year and was also shortlisted for the main award that was won by his former Man City team-mate Phil Foden.
‘I saw Cole Palmer’s talent first-hand so I’m not surprised,’ Aguero told Stake.com. ‘But it was quite shocking to see how fast he adapted to a new team.
‘It would normally be really tough for players to do that. You can tell that this process went exceptionally well by the amount of goals and assists Cole had during his first season.’
Palmer was sad to see Mauricio Pochettino leave Chelsea at the end of the season but will hope to continue his development under the Argentine’s replacement, ex-Leicester City boss Maresca.
Maresca, who guided Leicester to the Championship title last season, worked at Manchester City earlier in his career as a coach and an assistant under Pep Guardiola.
Cole Palmer starred for Chelsea last season (Picture: Getty)
‘Enzo Maresca had a very interesting career after leaving Man City,’ Aguero added. ‘I know this will be a well-suited challenge for him.
‘From our time at Manchester City, I know him to be well-prepared to lead Chelsea. The team has very high hopes.’
Aguero also backed Maresca to get more out of Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, who has underwhelmed following his astonishing £107m move from Benfica in January 2023.
Maresca won the Championship with Leicester City (Picture: Getty)
The Premier League legend said: ‘Why can’t Maresca get the best out of Enzo Fernandez? A good manager is characterised for having the quality to draw the talent out of players with potential.
‘Enzo is a great player, and I’m sure Maresca will be able to help him improve his game.’
By starring in west London for an inconsistent Chelsea team, Palmer forced his way into England’s Euro 2024 squad and will hope to get minutes as Gareth Southgate’s side face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in the group stage.
Palmer’s new club manager, meanwhile, said he was fulfilling a ‘dream’ after joining ‘one of the biggest clubs in the world’ in Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
‘To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach,’ the Italian said. ‘It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.
‘I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.’
Maresca begin his new role on July 1 and is Chelsea’s sixth managerial appointment in five years following Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Pochettino.
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