Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has star desperate to win Ballon d'Or and Cole Palmer can help

Chelsea are starting to look like top-four contenders, if not title challengers, and Enzo Maresca’s bold tactical call has played its part. Despite harbouring some early hesitation, the Italian boss has brought Joao Felix in from the UEFA Conference League cold and is reaping the rewards from the in-form attacker.

While their £42million summer signing did not score in the 5-1 thrashing of 10-man Southampton on Wednesday, Felix produced a sumptuous display from the left of the attacking midfield trio.

In the first half, he lofted two inch-perfect balls into Cole Palmer’s feet as a sign of things to come. After the interval, the playmaker could’ve had a hat-trick but somehow failed to get on the scoresheet.

His performance silenced some critics who suggested Felix’s introduction to the team would unbalance their attack, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto known for tracking back defensively.

When quizzed on the topic in November, Maresca insisted he could find a place for Felix and Palmer to thrive alongside each other.

“Yeah, this could be a target for the future; to see both of them playing together,” the Chelsea boss said. “Joao is doing well with us since day one. The only problem is trying to find balance when we are trying to prepare the game.

“For us, for all of the clubs, there is always a little bit of doubt because we do not know how they are going to come back.”

Those doubts about balance have been dissipated by the fact that Chelsea have won their last two games in which Palmer and Felix have started together. Even though Maresca may be right to hold some defensive concerns – the Blues have conceded goals to bottom-half teams Leicester and Southampton – they have also scored seven in those two games.

Of course, with both players enjoying dictating the ball in the final third, there have been some clashes – almost literally.

In the game at St Mary’s, Felix and Palmer made the same run to get the ball from Noni Madueke and, when Felix tried to lay it off to one of the English pair, the move broke down – with Palmer throwing his hands up in frustration.

Felix also opted to shoot from the edge of the box when Palmer was crying out for the ball ahead of him and the 22-year-old stayed true to his ‘ice cold’ persona – returning a bitter scowl in the Portuguese’s direction.

But for the most part, Felix has been a breath of fresh air and his signing has lightened the load on Palmer, who is often burdened with the responsibility of scoring and creating.

With five goals already this season, the ex-Atletico Madrid star is fighting back against claims that he has wasted his potential – and his goal of winning the Ballon d’Or one day no longer looks far-fetched.

“Everyone dreams of winning it,” Felix said in 2023. “I think I have the qualities to win it. I’m not going to lie. Of course, some things need to improve. Many things have to happen, I’m 24 years old. You have to work hard and believe in it.”

In going for the gong, he might find himself butting heads with Palmer in the near future. But if that’s the case, Chelsea and Maresca will be delighted.