Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has urged his struggling squad to step up as Cole Palmer goes through a rough patch, acknowledging that the team has become overly dependent on the young midfielder.
Palmer has been a standout performer this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in the Premier League. However, he hasn’t found the net since mid-January, and his last assist dates back to December 1.
Chelsea, who were just two points behind league leaders Liverpool in December, have slipped to seventh place after losing three of their last four matches. Despite their struggles, they remain only a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s home clash against bottom-placed Southampton on Tuesday, Maresca played down concerns about Palmer’s dip in form.
“I’m not worried about Cole because he’s human, and it’s normal to have ups and downs during the season,” Maresca told reporters on Monday.
“The real issue is that we’ve come to rely on him for everything. I’ve said from the start that we need to focus on the team as a whole. Of course, we need top players like Cole, but we can’t put all the pressure on him.”
The Chelsea boss acknowledged the weight of expectation on Palmer’s shoulders.
“We expect him to deliver a goal or an assist in every game, but that’s not realistic. He’s a player, not a machine. Right now, his performances reflect the team’s struggles. We’re finding it difficult to convert our chances, and that’s something we need to improve,” Maresca added.
Despite Chelsea’s recent slump, the Italian remains confident that they can turn things around and push for a Champions League spot.
“Even in the loss against Villa, our identity was clear. The way we played, both with and without the ball, was consistent with what we’ve done all season,” he said.
“I believe that if we can secure one win, we can build momentum again. That’s exactly what the players need at this moment.”
