Enzo Maresca explains Cole Palmer substitution after 'falling in love' with Chelsea star

Enzo Maresca insists 's half-time substitution was pre-planned as the playmaker's struggles in the final third continued. The star started but was hauled off after 45 minutes during their Europa Conference League win in Poland.

The Blues as they remain on course to lift the trophy, for which they are favourites. Palmer was left on the bench at the weekend as Maresca's rotation decisions backfired during the goalless draw at Brentford.

The ex- man's long run without a goal or an assist dates back to mid-January and now stands at 13 matches across all competitions as he failed to inspire Chelsea's attack, but Maresca maintains his withdrawal was not performance-related.

Palmer was substituted at the break along with Tosin Adarabioyo, with his replacement Noni Madueke going on to score twice, but Maresca insists that was always the plan to ensure the relevant players could get the necessary minutes. The Chelsea boss said on his star player: “No, no, no, we planned for him and for Tosin 45 minutes so everything was planned.”

Chelsea scored all three of their goals in the second half and will return to Stamford Bridge with a commanding lead. Tyrique George landed his first senior goal, but it was fellow teenager Josh Acheampong who really left an impact on the manager.

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Acheampong operated at right-back and Maresca has talked up his potential and his versatility as the club's academy produces yet another young talent for the first team. “The one I fall in love with tonight is Josh Acheampong,” said the Blues boss.

“He can be a fantastic player for this club. He is a good player, can play in different positions, and he showed that. Since we started, I'm in love with him but tonight he showed he can be a very good player for this club. He can be good in different positions. The best thing for Josh is that he's open — he wants to learn. ‘Full-back? No problem, what do I have to do’?”

Chelsea are heavy favourites to lift the trophy and have enjoyed some high-scoring wins, but have often had to play against teams who sit deep with Maresca calling on his side to adapt when they come up against those kinds of defences.

"Overall, a professional performance, a good result," he said. "We were much better in the second-half compared to the first-half for different reasons. We need to learn to play different kind of games. It’s not easy because it happens a lot. We have to learn to play that kind of games against teams that sit back."

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