Enzo Maresca has warned that Chelsea have a new puzzle to solve now that star man Cole Palmer is attracting an increased amount of defensive attention from rivals.
The England international was barely given a yard of space all Saturday evening away to Bournemouth with Lewis Cook following his every move.
And while the Blues left the south coast with three points thanks to substitute Christopher Nkunku’s late winner, Maresca believes there are lessons to be learned around Palmer’s new reality.
Palmer was fouled four times and could not make a decisive impact in the final third as Chelsea lived dangerously on occasion before finding a way to win.
And Maresca said: “These kind of players are probably going to have these things. Cook was marking him for 95 minutes man-to-man before we put him wide. It is not easy for Cole or any player. You need to find a different solution."
Chelsea travel next to face West Ham on lunchtime Saturday but much of the focus remains on the ownership rift between Bedhad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
After the Bournemouth game Maresca said: "The players read and see things on their social networks but I told them there’s nothing they can do about it and we try to prepare our games in the best way," he added.
"In this kind of game you need to learn that it isn’t just about the tactical part - you need something inside, to win duels and all the games are different.
"To win the game, you have to win with the T-shirt dirty - probably [getting] some yellow cards because they had many yellow cards. These kind of games require these kinds of things."
Debutant Jadon Sancho, meanwhile, declared himself delighted after coming off the bench to set up Nkunku’s solitary goal.
He told Sky: "First of all it is amazing to make my debut for Chelsea. Just being back playing I'm very grateful. The team played very well and we are happy with the three points.
"I've been working hard for this moment and I'm just happy that I got my chance. I had a great end to last season being in the Champions League final and I just told myself going into this season so I'm just happy to make my debut for Chelsea.
"I have to thank all the staff and my team-mates. The first day I came in, they made me feel welcome and I'm so happy to feel this comfortable."
GRÄYSÖÑJäy
29
its coming home
Prashant_Moktan
27
it was not palmer getting shut down, lad was rarely getting the balls and he had to run upwards to get the ball and after that he was creating chances but he had no one to support him, get sancho, felix, plamer and nkunku upfront. They can set up the play upfront and get creative and score loads. Get jackson, madueke and pedro on bench, bring them on as a sub so that they put some freshness in team and show some pace.