Enzo Maresca had little time for hypotheticals when asked if he would swap Cole Palmer for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers ahead of Chelsea’s league meeting with Villa. The Chelsea head coach was blunt in his reply, ending the discussion almost as quickly as it began in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Enzo Maresca when asked if he’s swap Morgan Rogers for Cole Palmer: No.
I love Cole and Cole is my player.
The comments come with Palmer edging back to full fitness, something Maresca recently addressed when he insisted the midfielder is now capable of playing a full match, as reported by SoftFootball.
The question itself was always likely, given Rogers’ recent rise and Villa’s strong form, including their latest win over Manchester United, which SoftFootball covered earlier this week.
Comparisons between the two players have grown louder, mostly because of their shared Manchester City academy background and their growing relevance in England conversations. Still, Maresca was clear that outside noise would not influence his thinking.
Rogers has been one of Villa’s standout performers this season, producing goals, energy and confidence in a side that looks settled and ruthless under Unai Emery. His numbers speak well, but so does his presence on the pitch.
Palmer, meanwhile, has had a more uneven campaign. Injuries disrupted his rhythm, limiting his appearances, and at times Chelsea lacked his calm and creativity in key moments. Even so, when Palmer has featured, he has remained one of Chelsea’s most decisive players.
Maresca stressed that football is not built around simple one-for-one ideas. From his view, both players benefit from systems, teammates and timing. He believes Palmer still has plenty to give, especially now his fitness is improving.
The Chelsea boss also welcomed the return of Estevao Willian and Liam Delap, a boost that SoftFootball noted ahead of the Villa game, easing pressure on an attack that has looked thin at times.
There was also a human side to Maresca’s response. It was not tactical or analytical, just honest. He trusts Palmer, values him, and sees him as part of Chelsea’s long-term core. In a season full of opinions and comparisons, Maresca made one thing very clear. Cole Palmer is not up for debate, not now, not for anyone.
