Chelsea legend John Terry has named his top three players for the club so far this season – with one surprise omission.
The Blues had a positive start to the campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca, with there even talk of a possible title challenge. However, things have been tougher in recent weeks with the side now facing a battle to remain in the Champions League positions.
The struggles have been highlighted by star man Cole Palmer not being involved in a goal since the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth back at the start of January. He has now gone seven games in all competitions without scoring or assisting.
But there was no surprise that Palmer was still an instant pick for Terry when he was asked to name his top three Chelsea players so far this season. “Well, Cole (Palmer) sticks out straight away and I think Enzo (Fernandez) has been very good,” he told DR Sports.
“Noni (Madueke), I think, has done well this year, he’s done a lot better and been really direct. I like (Pedro) Neto as well.”
The omission of midfielder Moises Caicedo from the list has taken a lot of fans by surprise. The 23-year-old has started every Premier League game so far this season and has impressed with his performances at the base of midfield.
Speaking about the player last month, Maresca outlined the impact he has on his teammates. “The good thing about Moi is whoever is playing next to Moi is playing good,” the Chelsea boss told the club’s official website.
“When you find a player like Moi that makes the players next to them better, it shows how good they are. All the players that have played next to Moi this season – Enzo [Fernandez], Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall], Romeo [Lavia], Renato [Veiga] when he was with us – they are doing well and it is probably because the one next to them is good and helps them on the pitch.
“So Moi is a fantastic player, not just because of him, but also because he is making the rest better.”
Chelsea do, however, face the possibility of having to be without the midfielder for two games. Caicedo is one booking away from a two-game suspension in the Premier League; if he is cautioned against Leicester City in the Blues’ next league outing, the midfielder would be suspended for a big doubleheader against Arsenal and Tottenham.
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