Enzo Maresca says Chelsea can’t all the time count on Cole Palmer to hit the dizzying heights he reached final season, after the Blues’ supporting forged stepped up in a 4-0 win over Southampton.
Palmer, who scored 22 objectives and offered 11 assists within the Premier League in 2023-24, has struggled for kind for the reason that flip of the 12 months.
Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Southampton was his seventh straight sport in all competitions with out a aim involvement – a run that has seen him fireplace off 26 pictures price a complete of two.8 anticipated objectives (xG).
He missed two good first-half probabilities towards the Premier League’s backside membership, however his struggles didn’t matter to Chelsea as Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella acquired on the scoresheet.
Maresca has beforehand warned Chelsea are too reliant on Palmer, and when talking to TNT Sports activities after full-time, he mentioned the 22-year-old was due a foul patch.
“We’re all former gamers. All of us went by way of some unhealthy moments,” Maresca mentioned.
“You can not count on Palmer to be like he was final season, or how he was within the first a part of the season.
“It’s regular. He’s human. I used to be telling him it was regular. He’s glad. He’s okay.
“He has shared the altering room with some high gamers and he is aware of that each high participant goes by way of unhealthy moments.
“It’s about the way you react. Preserve working, hold laughing, hold calm, be glad and benefit from the soccer. It’s the one factor it’s important to do.”
Chelsea had misplaced three straight video games in all competitions earlier than Tuesday’s match, sliding to seventh within the Premier League desk and exiting the FA Cup.
Their victory moved them again into the highest 4 forward of Newcastle United and Manchester Metropolis taking part in on Wednesday, and Maresca knew the significance of incomes three factors.
“All of us wanted that. We have been in a foul run when it comes to outcomes. The efficiency was all the time there, possibly besides towards Brighton. The membership wanted that,” he mentioned.
“This month and half has been when I’ve pushed gamers much more to consider within the course of. Since we began, we’ve got nearly all the time been within the high 4.
“However now it’s regular to undergo some unhealthy moments. It’s about how we react and the way we proceed to consider in what we do. The gamers are unbelievable and work laborious every single day.”
Chelsea now have every week off earlier than dealing with Copenhagen within the first leg of their Europa Convention League last-16 tie on March 6, with Maresca’s former membership Leicester Metropolis visiting Stamford Bridge three days later.
