Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer’s 16-game scoring slump is not his fault, with Chelsea’s head coach insisting it is a ‘mental’ issue rather than anything ‘tactical’ or ‘technical’.
Maresca highlighted the importance of qualifying for the Champions League in his Everton preview, admitting it will determine how much they can spend in this summer’s window.
Saturday is seen as a must-win match with Palmer looking to finally find the goal again, with the 22-year-old scoring four times in this very fixture last season when Chelsea won 6-0 at Stamford Bridge under Mauricio Pochettino.
Maresca suggested yesterday that the problem is all in Palmer's head as he said: ‘For sure, it’s mental. I don't think it's tactical, I don't think it's technical, because Cole is still the same player that scored this season with us – 14 goals in the Premier League in 20 games. Cole is the same one.
‘The style of football we play is the same one. The manager is the same one. The club is the same one. So nothing changes around Cole and Cole doesn't change. It’s just mentally in this moment.
‘We try always to set up our game to put our best player in a condition to be dangerous. We have done since we started. We are doing that every game.
‘If you go back game by game, he had at least every game one or two chances. It's not about how the team is playing. Again, it's the same one. If you want to see it as the team playing a different way, you've seen it that way, but the reality is not that.
'The reality is that Cole is the same, the style of play is the same, the manager is the same, the club is the same. It's just football that, in this moment, he is missing the goal. No more than that.’
As well as Palmer, Nicolas Jackson has gone 13 games without a goal. Maresca was asked if Chelsea securing Champions League will have a big influence on transfer targets this summer and he said: 'Absolutely, yes.’
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
The most overhyped one season wonder I've ever seen
kaymacanaky
0
we don't want that playing style change the system of playing.we need swift football not the one-on-one playing style.NO backward passes, avoid it. long balls are necessary for any of your matches.We have no choice concerning the keeper even though he panics in every match.Jackson should be benched in place of George.no Jackson no Nkunku.
i also think George is better than jackson and nkunku
Mesaeimnr
1
we don't want that playing style change the system of playing.we need swift football not the one-on-one playing style.NO backward passes, avoid it. long balls are necessary for any of your matches.We have no choice concerning the keeper even though he panics in every match.Jackson should be benched in place of George.no Jackson no Nkunku.
momadnorsz
0
Chelsea win conference
chase-bubba
0
this man talks too much
DesmondX007
1
this Baldie is to blame fr
tadaceptuz
0
Maresca, u are the cause, not just for any of Chelsea's players not scoring goals, but for the team's losing and backward performances. U are just not good enough for Chelsea. Chelsea ought not to have hired Maresca in the first place when Coaches like Luis Enrique now of PSG, Frank of Brentford, Nino Santos of Nottingham Forest, Xaxi, former Barcelona coach, were available.
olubukolaemmanuel
0
palmer downfall is your fault bro,your tactics is killing the players ,this is the team that were scoring 5,4,3, before now they find it difficult to score 1
Pori
1
can you imagine what this man is saying ,you never learn anything from pep if yes ,it shouldn't be this difficult to get palmer back on track 16,game without a goal I can't believe this 💔🤔😡
Y has he not being Phil Foden back to his best
soeailnsu
0
stupid coach
Biodilmnyz
0
He’s just a wasted coach of all time at Chelsea go away my friend idiot person
SirOkolugbo1
3
When U ask an attacking player who scores goals regularly to drop deep to receive balls and distribute what do you expect? and U noticed he is being targeted and man-marked what did U do? U kept doing the same thing and expecting different result
FavourApura
1
y'all insulting maresca now where the same people who sang his praises when the season was still at the inception, grow up and understand life is full of ups and downs,as he said Palmer's problems are mental not physical or tactical,try and understand
Destiny46587
0
Winning is sure Serious once only 080 259 284 04
Hiwcklor
0
can you imagine what this man is saying ,you never learn anything from pep if yes ,it shouldn't be this difficult to get palmer back on track 16,game without a goal I can't believe this 💔🤔😡
Heoabcdrty
3
Stupid coach. You lost the champions league place way back when Ipswich defeated Chelsea, because of your stupid selection.
fupceiluyz
5
Mr.Enzo Maresca, you are a very big useless fool.If ICECOLD PALMER is being marked by opposition defenders excessively, what are you doing about it? You are hired and paid massively to get the best out of the players at your disposal, not to complain.If you are unable to manage my most famous mighty Chelsea, you can go back to your Leicester in the championship next season.😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮