Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has urged his squad to step up and share the attacking burden, acknowledging that the team has become overly reliant on Cole Palmer.
Palmer, Chelsea’s standout performer this season with 14 goals and six assists, has struggled to make an impact in recent weeks. His last goal came in mid-January, and he hasn’t registered an assist since December 1.
As a result, Chelsea, once within touching distance of league leaders Liverpool in December, have slipped to seventh after three defeats in their last four matches.
Speaking ahead of their clash against bottom-placed Southampton, Maresca downplayed concerns over Palmer’s dip in form but admitted the team leans too heavily on the young midfielder.
“I’m not worried about Cole,” Maresca said. “He’s a human being, and during the season, every player will have difficult moments. The problem is that we rely on Cole for everything, and that shouldn’t be the case. Football is a team sport—we need everyone to step up.”
The Chelsea manager emphasized that Palmer’s struggles mirror the team’s overall performance.
“We expect him to score or assist in every game, but that’s unrealistic,” he added. “Right now, our attacking play lacks sharpness, and we must be more clinical with our chances.”
Despite recent setbacks, Maresca remains confident that Chelsea can regain momentum in the race for a Champions League spot.
“The way we play, both on and off the ball, remains intact,” he said. “I believe that one win could spark a good run and restore our confidence.”
With a crucial fixture against Southampton up next, Chelsea will be hoping for a collective effort to ease the burden on Palmer and get their season back on track.
