Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was Friday named the Premier League’s manager of the month for September; just as midfielder Cole Palmer picked up the player’s award.
After two seasons of toiling Chelsea seem to have found their groove. They began the month with a draw at home to Crystal Palace but then won three league matches in a row, beating Bournemouth and West Ham away from home before they then eased to a thrilling 4-2 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca made September’s shortlist along with Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot, Unai Emery and Marco Silva, and came out on top after votes from both the public and a panel of experts.
The Italian is the first Chelsea head coach to win the Premier League’s manager of the month award since Thomas Tuchel did so in October 2021.
“We had a very good month,” Maresca said.
“We all need people around us to make things better. I’m very grateful to have all of them [his staff]. We are always looking at new things and how we can improve from different football and different countries.”
Palmer, unsurprisingly, won the player’s award for September, having scored all four goals in the Blues’ win against Brighton.
The England star also scored in the victory over West Ham and provided an assist for Nicolas Jackson’s goal against Palace earlier in the month.
Palmer, who also picked up the award in April at the end of last season, beat the likes of Arsenal defender Gabriel, despite his goals against Tottenham and Manchester City, and Liverpool duo Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch.
