Having started four Premier League games in a row for us and impressed, Sancho was an unused sub against both Panathinaikos and Newcastle.

The winger is ineligible for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford because of the terms of his loan from Manchester United, so will be hopeful of returning to Maresca’s starting XI as we seek a spot in the League Cup quarter-final.

At his media conference to preview the second Newcastle game in a matter of days, the head coach assessed Sancho’s start to life as a Blue and detailed what the 24-year-old’s next steps are.

‘Jadon has done well since he arrived with us,’ said Maresca.

‘For sure, players can’t maintain the same level the whole season because the amount of games is huge. So, the last two games he didn't play, not for any different reason, just for a technical decision, a tactical decision. No more than that.

‘For sure, because of the amount of games, he's going to play many games. The only thing he has to do is continue to work hard and when we give him a chance, to just take it.’

Palmer is a good example of someone taking their chance. He was far from a guaranteed starter when he arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2023 but has quickly guaranteed his name is on the teamsheet when it comes to Premier League fixtures.

He once more grabbed the headlines on Sunday with not only the winning goal, but a pass in the build-up to Nicolas Jackson’s opener that had the footballing world purring with excitement.

So it came as no surprise that Maresca was asked about the England international during his pre-Newcastle United press conference this afternoon.

‘I am very pleased, especially because I can see him enjoying it,’ Maresca noted.

‘I always say for the players the most important thing is they can enjoy playing football. This is the first thing, then you can see he is continuing to improve no matter the position he is playing. The other day he was playing in a different position, a different part of the pitch but he did fantastic.

‘It’s more or less similar to Jadon - they have to work hard and enjoy because they decided to be football players and be happy and enjoy in these moments. They have to continue on that.’