COLE WON'T BURN OUT

Maresca insists out-of-sorts Palmer is still fit to lift Blues

- By Paul Brown

ENZO MARESCA says Cole Palmer does not need a rest after going six games without a goal or an assist.

The Blues head coach admits Palmer is struggling for form but insists he is the fittest player at the club - and says he can prove it.

Maresca put his whole squad to the test in training last week in a special fitness session and Palmer came out top.

The Italian, who admits Chelsea rely too much on Palmer, said: "When things are not going well for him, he trains even harder. Absolutely. I love that.

"I will tell you one detail that is very important. Every six or seven months we do a physical test.

"We did it in pre-season we did it last week. And he was, of all the squad, the strongest one, the one that 'won' the test. And it was a physical test. That shows his desire is not only on the ball.