- 22 hours ago
Maresca FINALLY finds Chelsea’s No.9 and praises ‘PERFECT’ Palmer after Southampton misses
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 26 Feb 2025 07:15 GMT
- 3 min read
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has offered a defence of Cole Palmer as he goes through a difficult spell while praising a “fantastic” option he has found for the false 9 role at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dismantled Southampton 4-0 at home in the Premier League on Tuesday but Palmer’s name was notably absent from the scoresheet, despite the forward having two huge opportunities to score.
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Current ETV
Cole Palmer
M (CR)
Chelsea
Cole Palmer
M (CR)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€104M - €127.1M
The England star has now failed to score in his last seven matches, which is the longest goal drought he has experienced as a Blues player.
“It is how you react. He is reacting perfectly. He is smiling and he is happy. We have no doubt he will score more goals,” Maresca told the media.
“He's a human being. All human beings, all big players, all the normal players, big club, big manager - we all go through a bad moment.
“Even if he is young, he shared time in a big club and he knows that all the big players go through moments like this.”
Palmer had two huge chances against Saints. He twice was clear on Aaron Ramsdale’s goal but had one effort stopped by his England team-mate and saw the effort roll wide.
Why Pedro Neto is Chelsea’s best No.9 option
Palmer’s slump in front of goal has been magnified by the absence of Nicolas Jackson, who started the season prolifically before tailing off himself.
Chelsea have lacked a natural alternative for that role at times, with Maresca using Neto as a No.9 against Saints. The former Wolves man turned in an excellent performance and even netted the second goal, a fierce left-footed strike into Aaron Ramsdale’s near post.
STATS
Pedro Neto
F, M (R)
Chelsea
Pedro Neto
F, M (R)
Chelsea
“We needed a solution. We tried one game with Palmer and we tried one game with Nkunku, Brighton away – didn't work well,” Maresca said.
“So the week after, we tried with Pedro in the week and we saw that it could work. I think Villa away he did fantastic. He probably give us a threat in-behind.
“He’s not just taking the ball at his feet, he also likes to attack in behind, something which Cole and Christopher Nkunku struggle with.”
Chelsea are not in action until next Thursday, when they face Copenhagen in the Conference League.
