Enzo Maresca says Chelsea are over-reliant on Cole Palmer
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Chelsea's Cole Palmer looking dejected after Aston Villa's Marco Asensio scores the winner in a 2-1 English Premier League triumph on Feb 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Enzo Maresca has challenged his misfiring Chelsea squad to step up during a lean spell for Cole Palmer, admitting “we rely on Cole for everything”.
The England attacking midfielder has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in the English Premier League this season, but his last goal was in mid-January and he last set up a goal on Dec 1.
Chelsea, just two points behind runaway leaders Liverpool in mid-December, have slipped to seventh in the table after three defeats in their past four games, though they are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Maresca, preparing his team to host rock-bottom Southampton on Feb 25, said he was not worried about Palmer’s dip in form.
“I’m not concerned about Cole because Cole is a human being and during the season he can have some moments where he struggles a little bit more,” he told reporters on Feb 24.
“The problem with Cole is probably that we rely on Cole for everything and I said since we started that we need to rely on the team.
“For sure, we need big players, top players like Cole, but we are not worried about Cole at all.”
He added: “Every game we expect from him a goal or assist. It’s difficult, he’s a human being, he’s a player. At this moment, probably his performance also reflects a little bit the team performance.
“We struggle to score goals and we need to be a little bit more clinical when we get the chances.”
The Italian, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, remains upbeat over Chelsea’s form as they chase a Champions League place.
“Even against Villa (a 2-1 defeat on Feb 22), I think the identity was there. The way we play on the ball and off the ball was there, very similar to what we are doing during the season,” he said.
“So the identity is there. I said after the Aston Villa game, in this moment, I have the feeling that winning one, we can have a good run again and we can build a good momentum again. That is what I think in this moment the players need.”
However, centre-back Trevoh Chalobah will be out of action for at least a week after picking up an injury at the weekend.
His absence adds to Maresca’s long injury list with Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana missing the trip to Villa Park.
An error by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen led to Villa scoring a late second goal, handing Chelsea their third straight loss in all competitions, but Maresca still has faith in Jorgensen as his No. 1.
“He feels a little bit sad and upset because he recognises it was a mistake but, overall, he is okay,” the manager added. AFP, REUTERS
