Enzo Maresca reveals reason behind Cole Palmer’s goal draught, loss of form

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has claimed the club’s over-reliance on Cole Palmer is affecting the England international’s form as he continues to pull through his driest run since moving to the London club.

Palmer hasn’t scored in his last six games and his last assist came 13 matches ago. His poor form has played a huge role in Chelsea’s current state. The London club has dropped from second to seventh in the Premier League amid a run of two wins from 10 games and has also been eliminated from the FA Cup.

The young playmaker was visibly frustrated with his Chelsea teammates during the 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday and Maresca insists he’s not concerned.

Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer of Chelsea react during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC at Villa Park. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“I´m not concerned,” Maresca said. “I´m always concerned about general performances, but I´m not concerned about Cole because he is a human being. During the season, he can have some moments where he is struggling a little bit more.

“The problem with Cole is probably that we rely on him for everything. 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 him at all.”

“In this moment, his performances reflect a bit the team´s performances, that we struggle to score goals,” Maresca said of Palmer. “We need to be a little bit more clinical when we get the chances. “Cole is just upset because we are not winning games, no more than that.”

After three straight losses, Chelsea has a great chance to get back to winning ways on Tuesday when last-place Southampton visits Stamford Bridge.

A win could move Chelsea back into the Champions League qualification place, with the Premier League likely having five of them for next season´s competition.