Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has firmly dismissed suggestions that his tactical approach is responsible for Cole Palmer’s prolonged goal-scoring drought, insisting the issue lies elsewhere. The 22-year-old England forward, once a prolific talisman for the Blues, has not found the net since January 14, marking a 16-game barren run—the longest of his Chelsea career.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Everton, Maresca addressed mounting criticism from fans who argue his rigid, structured system stifles Palmer’s creative flair. “For sure, it’s mental,” Maresca said. “I don’t think it’s tactical, I don’t think it’s technical, because Cole is still the same player that scored 14 goals in 20 games this season.” The Italian coach emphasized that Palmer’s struggles are a matter of self-belief rather than a byproduct of Chelsea’s playing style.
Palmer’s dip in form has coincided with a challenging period for Chelsea, who have slipped to sixth in the Premier League table after winning just six of their last 17 league matches. The team’s attacking woes extend beyond Palmer, with striker Nicolas Jackson also enduring a 13-game goalless streak. Maresca admitted that without his key attackers rediscovering their scoring touch, Chelsea’s ambitions of securing Champions League qualification could be in jeopardy. “No,” he replied bluntly when asked if the team could achieve their top-five target without Palmer and Jackson firing.
Despite the criticism, Maresca remains confident in Palmer’s ability to bounce back. “Cole is still creating chances,” he noted, pointing to Opta’s expected goals (xG) statistics, which suggest Palmer should have scored at least five goals during his drought. The manager also defended his decision to start Palmer in a recent Conference League match against Legia Warsaw, despite the team’s comfortable aggregate lead, as an attempt to boost the player’s confidence. However, Palmer failed to score, and Chelsea were booed off after a 2-1 loss in the second leg.
Some Chelsea supporters have contrasted Maresca’s approach with that of his predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, under whom Palmer thrived with greater freedom on the pitch. A recent Instagram post by Palmer, interpreted by fans as a nod to his time under Pochettino, fueled speculation of discontent with Maresca’s methods. However, Maresca insisted Palmer remains happy at Stamford Bridge and is simply navigating a natural phase of a young player’s career.