Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer has similar qualities to Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, as the Chelsea head coach lauded his star player.

Palmer has starred at Stamford Bridge since joining from Manchester City in September 2023, having been directly involved in 53 goals (scored 36, assisted 17) in his first 50 Premier League starts for Chelsea.

The England international has continued his fine form into this season, with only Salah (31), Omar Marmoush (24) and Harry Kane (22) involved in more goals across Europe's top five leagues than Palmer (20).

Maresca compared Palmer's influence to Salah, pinpointing his skills that not only bring goals and assists, but also to drag his team through difficult moments.

"He [Palmer] is improving a lot, but not just in terms of numbers of goals and assists," Maresca said on Friday. "The second half against Wolves for me was one of the best moments since I arrived here.

"He was showing personality, he was asking for the ball at any moment that the team needed it.

"Liverpool, when they have some [tough] moments, Salah is asking for the ball. Arsenal, when they have some problem, [Martin] Odegaard is asking for the ball.

"We need that kind of player when we are in some difficult moments, who is turning to his team-mates and saying: 'Give me the ball, don't worry, I will be in charge'.

"This kind of personality we have to show in difficult moments. Against Wolves, in the second half, he was top."

Palmer's 20 goal contributions this term made him the first Chelsea player to register 20 or more in successive Premier League seasons since Eden Hazard did so three times between 2012-13 and 2014-15.

He will face his former side on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium as Chelsea prepare to visit Manchester City in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola allowed Palmer to leave in a move that many suggest Man City may now regret, though Maresca believes the four-in-a-row champions made the right decision.

"Having so many options there, I think it was difficult for Pep to give Cole minutes," Maresca said. "No-one at City was thinking that Cole was not good enough. Everyone was sure that he is a top player.

"The problem was that if Cole played then Phil Foden has not to play, or [Kevin] De Bruyne. It's a matter of balance and a matter of decisions."