Enzo Maresca has called on his struggling Chelsea squad to step up as Cole Palmer experiences a dip in form, admitting the team has been overly reliant on the midfielder.
Palmer, who has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season with 14 goals and six assists in the Premier League, has not found the net since mid-January and last registered an assist on December 1.
Chelsea, who were just two points behind league leaders Liverpool in mid-December, have since dropped to seventh in the table following three defeats in their last four games. However, they remain only one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Despite Palmer’s recent struggles, Maresca remains unconcerned. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with bottom-placed Southampton on Tuesday, he emphasized the need for the team to share the responsibility.
“I’m not worried about Cole because he’s a human being, and over the course of a season, players go through ups and downs,” Maresca told reporters on Monday. “The issue is that we rely on him for everything, and I’ve said from the beginning that we need to depend on the whole team. Of course, we need top players like Cole, but we are not concerned about him at all.”
He acknowledged the weight of expectations on Palmer, saying, “Every game, people expect him to score or provide an assist. It’s tough—he’s a player like everyone else. Right now, his form probably mirrors the team’s overall performance. We are struggling to convert our chances and need to be more clinical in front of goal.”
Despite Chelsea’s recent struggles, Maresca remains optimistic about their chances of securing a Champions League spot.
“Even against Villa (a 2-1 defeat on Saturday), I felt our identity was still there,” he said. “The way we played, both on and off the ball, was consistent with what we’ve done all season. I believe if we can secure one win, we can go on a strong run and regain momentum. That’s what the players need right now.”
