Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer’s struggle for form is because of a drop in self-belief rather than due to Chelsea’s tactics.
Palmer has gone 16 games without scoring for the club, having started the campaign with 14 goals in 23 appearances.
It is the first time the 22-year-old has had a prolonged struggle for form since joining Chelsea from Manchester City for an initial £40million ($53.2m) in 2023.
Advertisement
Palmer is hoping to end the drought on Saturday against Everton, who he scored four times against in a 6-0 win 12 months ago.
Maresca 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 who scored this season with us.
“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 at this moment. For sure, you can see that he is a little worried because he wants to help the team.”
Nicolas Jackson has also gone 13 matches without finding the net. (Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Striker Nicolas Jackson is also on his worst run in a Chelsea shirt, having gone 13 matches without finding the net.
Maresca added: “Him (Palmer) and Nico (Jackson), they want to help the team, scoring goals and giving assists. So you can see that he (Palmer) is struggling a little on that. But overall, you saw how happy he was after (the 2-1 win over) Fulham.
“For sure, Cole is going to score goals. We always try to set up our game to put our best player in 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 one or two chances every game so it’s not about how the team is playing. 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.
“It’s just football, that in this moment he is missing the goal. No more than that.”
“Only a matter of time before Palmer’s barren streak comes to an end.”
Palmer was always going to struggle to maintain the incredibly high standards he set for 18 months, but the size of the drop-off has understandably got people talking.
Opposition head coaches have inevitably singled Palmer out for closer attention, making sure there is always at least one player close by to stop him operating in space.
Advertisement
But teams were doing this against Chelsea before and he was still able to escape the stranglehold. It has not helped that Jackson was ruled out for a couple of months in 2025 with a hamstring injury, someone he has a good understanding with.
An intense schedule for club and country over the past two years has taken a toll. The England international has picked up a few more knocks and just seems a yard slower than usual.
Chelsea’s performances have deteriorated and that has put him under more pressure to make the difference. Maresca’s side have won just six of their last 17 fixtures and supporters have expressed frustration over the Italian’s desire to focus on a methodical passing game out from the back.
But Maresca is right to highlight that Palmer has been getting chances and simply not been converting them. For example, he missed his first Premier League penalty for Chelsea against Leicester City last month and the manner in which the 22-year-old fired a great early opportunity against Ipswich Town well wide, exposed the lack of confidence.
Still, you would think it is only a matter of time before Palmer’s barren streak comes to an end.
(Top photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Panthers double down at OLB. Is Jadeveon Clowney’s Carolina stint coming to an end?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Friday night felt like a changing of the guard at edge rusher for the Carolina Panthers, with two coming in and one seemingly on his way out.Panthers general manager Dan Morgan traded up twice to take a pair of outside linebackers from the SEC — Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen, who will bring distinct pass rush styles when they arrive in Charlotte for next month’s rookie minicamp.Watching the second night of the draft unfold, you began to count the edge rushers on Carolina’s roster and wondered what had to give. It very well could be the former No. 1 overall pick and one of the most accomplished players on the roster.Jadeveon Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract in 2024 when the Panthers were scrambling to find a veteran edge guy to replace […]
Bills draft: T.J. Sanders on ‘exhilaration’ of making plays, Landon Jackson is a dog, and more
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – T.J. Sanders dumped football as a middle schooler because he just “wasn’t feeling it.”He was a junior when some buddies and coaches finally persuaded him to give it another crack. Oh, then he felt it. So did the opposing quarterback.“There’s just something about D-line,” Sanders wistfully said of his football rebirth. “I remember getting my first sack in high school, and I just felt alive, getting that first sack, and after that, I just wanted more and more sacks.”AdvertisementBut that attitude wouldn’t have been enough Friday night for the Buffalo Bills to trade up 15 slots and select Sanders, a defensive tackle from South Carolina. What likely made general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott jump for Sanders at 41st overall was his desire for the often thankless work of stonewalling runners.“I actually enjoy getting […]
Sporný moment před vítězným gólem Komety. Sedlák dostal mezi nohy, Zohorna o zákroku ani nevěděl
5. zápas finále: Brno - Pardubice3:08SESTŘIH: HC Dynamo Pardubice vs. HC Kometa Brno 2:4Foto: Sport.cz0:19Pardubice - Brno, domácí Kondelík se v úvodu zápasu dostal do šanceFoto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno 0:1 (6. Konečný)Foto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno, zákroky Postavy proti střelám domácích obránců Vály a ČerešňákaFoto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno 0:2 (21. H. Zohorna)Foto: Sport.cz0:28Pardubice - Brno 0:3 (24. Kollár)Foto: Sport.cz0:24Pardubice - Brno, samostatný únik brněnského Kosa proti Willovi nevyšelFoto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno, domácí R. Kousal před koncem druhé třetiny trefil tyčkuFoto: Sport.cz0:24Pardubice - Brno 1:3 (42. R. Kousal)Foto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno, hostující Flek se v oslabení dostal do slibné šanceFoto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno 2:3 (51. Kondelík)Foto: Sport.cz0:20Pardubice - Brno, domácí Kondelík se znovu dostal k zakončení, trefil boční síťFoto: Sport.cz0:21Pardubice - Brno 2:4 (60. Flek)Foto: Sport.cz0:43Pardubice - Brno, gól hostujícího Kollára na 3:0Foto: Sport.cz0:51Pardubice - Brno, hostující Postava se proti Dynamu činilBěžela […]
Ben Johnson’s influence defines Day 2 of the NFL Draft for the Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On Day 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Bears improved their 12 personnel (two tight ends) for coach Ben Johnson’s offense by taking Colston Loveland. Friday, the team’s 11 personnel (three receivers) became more formidable with Luther Burden III.“With what we’re trying to build with Coach Johnson, it’s multiple, everybody moving around, so you can’t get a beat,” Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley said. “It can open the offense up.”AdvertisementWelcome to the modern-day Bears, where quarterback EPA (expected points added) is valued more than defensive takeaways, and weapons are continuously sought and added for their offensive-minded head coach.Much like Loveland in the first round, Burden can be viewed as another Johnson pick. Johnson said during the NFL’s annual meeting that he was looking for a slot receiver, and now he has […]
Everyone is asking ‘What is Atlanta doing?’ again after Round 1 of the draft; Here’s the answer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The idea that the Atlanta Falcons drafted James Pearce Jr. on Thursday night because of Michael Penix Jr. is going to take some explaining, so let’s get to it.The Falcons became the talk of the first day of the NFL Draft for the second year in a row Thursday when they traded back into the first round to draft Pearce, the edge rusher out of Tennessee, with the No. 26 pick, 11 spots after they had picked Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15.AdvertisementAtlanta sent the Los Angeles Rams the 46th and 242nd picks in this year’s draft and its first-round pick next year in exchange for the Pearce pick and the 101st pick in this year’s draft. On Friday, they traded the No. 101 pick and next year’s fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles […]
Raiders trade down (twice) and address needs on Day 2 of the draft
HENDERSON, Nev. — The number of holes the Las Vegas Raiders had remaining on their roster was talked about ad nauseam leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. That was largely the case because they were shrewd in free agency — they still have over $42.2 million in cap space according to Over the Cap — which struck some as odd considering they were coming off a 4-13 season.AdvertisementWhile the Raiders’ brass defended that strategy, they had no illusions about the fact they needed to add a ton of help on both sides of the ball. Running back, receiver, linebacker and cornerback stood out as the biggest priorities, but they also hoped to add to the offensive line, defensive line and quarterback rooms, according to team sources.“We wanted to create as much competition as we can. That’s so important to […]
Related
Panthers double down at OLB. Is Jadeveon Clowney’s Carolina stint coming to an end?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Friday night felt like a changing of the guard at edge rusher for the Carolina Panthers, with two coming in and one seemingly on his way out.Panthers general manager Dan Morgan traded up twice to take a pair of outside linebackers from the SEC — Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen, who will bring distinct pass rush styles when they arrive in Charlotte for next month’s rookie minicamp.Watching the second night of the draft unfold, you began to count the edge rushers on Carolina’s roster and wondered what had to give. It very well could be the former No. 1 overall pick and one of the most accomplished players on the roster.Jadeveon Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract in 2024 when the Panthers were scrambling to find a veteran edge guy to replace […]
Bills draft: T.J. Sanders on ‘exhilaration’ of making plays, Landon Jackson is a dog, and more
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – T.J. Sanders dumped football as a middle schooler because he just “wasn’t feeling it.”He was a junior when some buddies and coaches finally persuaded him to give it another crack. Oh, then he felt it. So did the opposing quarterback.“There’s just something about D-line,” Sanders wistfully said of his football rebirth. “I remember getting my first sack in high school, and I just felt alive, getting that first sack, and after that, I just wanted more and more sacks.”AdvertisementBut that attitude wouldn’t have been enough Friday night for the Buffalo Bills to trade up 15 slots and select Sanders, a defensive tackle from South Carolina. What likely made general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott jump for Sanders at 41st overall was his desire for the often thankless work of stonewalling runners.“I actually enjoy getting […]
Sporný moment před vítězným gólem Komety. Sedlák dostal mezi nohy, Zohorna o zákroku ani nevěděl
5. zápas finále: Brno - Pardubice3:08SESTŘIH: HC Dynamo Pardubice vs. HC Kometa Brno 2:4Foto: Sport.cz0:19Pardubice - Brno, domácí Kondelík se v úvodu zápasu dostal do šanceFoto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno 0:1 (6. Konečný)Foto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno, zákroky Postavy proti střelám domácích obránců Vály a ČerešňákaFoto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno 0:2 (21. H. Zohorna)Foto: Sport.cz0:28Pardubice - Brno 0:3 (24. Kollár)Foto: Sport.cz0:24Pardubice - Brno, samostatný únik brněnského Kosa proti Willovi nevyšelFoto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno, domácí R. Kousal před koncem druhé třetiny trefil tyčkuFoto: Sport.cz0:24Pardubice - Brno 1:3 (42. R. Kousal)Foto: Sport.cz0:22Pardubice - Brno, hostující Flek se v oslabení dostal do slibné šanceFoto: Sport.cz0:23Pardubice - Brno 2:3 (51. Kondelík)Foto: Sport.cz0:20Pardubice - Brno, domácí Kondelík se znovu dostal k zakončení, trefil boční síťFoto: Sport.cz0:21Pardubice - Brno 2:4 (60. Flek)Foto: Sport.cz0:43Pardubice - Brno, gól hostujícího Kollára na 3:0Foto: Sport.cz0:51Pardubice - Brno, hostující Postava se proti Dynamu činilBěžela […]
Ben Johnson’s influence defines Day 2 of the NFL Draft for the Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On Day 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Bears improved their 12 personnel (two tight ends) for coach Ben Johnson’s offense by taking Colston Loveland. Friday, the team’s 11 personnel (three receivers) became more formidable with Luther Burden III.“With what we’re trying to build with Coach Johnson, it’s multiple, everybody moving around, so you can’t get a beat,” Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley said. “It can open the offense up.”AdvertisementWelcome to the modern-day Bears, where quarterback EPA (expected points added) is valued more than defensive takeaways, and weapons are continuously sought and added for their offensive-minded head coach.Much like Loveland in the first round, Burden can be viewed as another Johnson pick. Johnson said during the NFL’s annual meeting that he was looking for a slot receiver, and now he has […]
Everyone is asking ‘What is Atlanta doing?’ again after Round 1 of the draft; Here’s the answer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The idea that the Atlanta Falcons drafted James Pearce Jr. on Thursday night because of Michael Penix Jr. is going to take some explaining, so let’s get to it.The Falcons became the talk of the first day of the NFL Draft for the second year in a row Thursday when they traded back into the first round to draft Pearce, the edge rusher out of Tennessee, with the No. 26 pick, 11 spots after they had picked Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15.AdvertisementAtlanta sent the Los Angeles Rams the 46th and 242nd picks in this year’s draft and its first-round pick next year in exchange for the Pearce pick and the 101st pick in this year’s draft. On Friday, they traded the No. 101 pick and next year’s fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles […]
Raiders trade down (twice) and address needs on Day 2 of the draft
HENDERSON, Nev. — The number of holes the Las Vegas Raiders had remaining on their roster was talked about ad nauseam leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. That was largely the case because they were shrewd in free agency — they still have over $42.2 million in cap space according to Over the Cap — which struck some as odd considering they were coming off a 4-13 season.AdvertisementWhile the Raiders’ brass defended that strategy, they had no illusions about the fact they needed to add a ton of help on both sides of the ball. Running back, receiver, linebacker and cornerback stood out as the biggest priorities, but they also hoped to add to the offensive line, defensive line and quarterback rooms, according to team sources.“We wanted to create as much competition as we can. That’s so important to […]
Be the first to leave a comment