Stay Positive: Your Goals Will Follow, Says Maresca to Palmer

Cole Palmer has not scored in his last seven games for Chelsea FC but continues to accumulate expected goals against Southampton. Despite missing a hatful of chances during an emphatic 4-0 victory over the struggling Premier League side, Chelsea remains at the top four table.

Manager Enzo Maresca has been encouraging Palmer to keep working and laughing, believing that his form will eventually return. While acknowledging it’s normal for players to go through periods of goal drought, Maresca emphasized the importance of staying positive and upbeat.

“He has to continue to work, continue to be happy, continue to laugh the way he does,” said Maresca in an interview with BBC Match of the Day. “Just keep working and you are going to score many goals.”

Palmer started the season in impressive form for Chelsea, scoring 14 goals and creating six assists across his first 21 Premier League appearances. However, he has since failed to find the back of the net.

Despite this setback, Palmer demonstrated a positive attitude towards his current situation by laughing off his struggles during post-match celebrations. Maresca praised Palmer’s reaction, saying it was important for players to maintain their composure and humor in tough times.

“It is how you react. He is reacting perfectly,” said the manager. “He is smiling and he is happy.”

On Tuesday night against Southampton, Palmer had seven shots on target during the match, with an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.07. However, he missed several big chances in both halves.

In a tactical shift to address their attacking woes, Chelsea manager Maresca brought in Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto for the game against Southampton. Both players scored one goal each and assisted another.

“We needed to find a solution,” said Maresca after the match. “Pedro’s performance has been fantastic recently.”

With striker Nicolas Jackson absent due to a thigh injury, Maresca brought Neto in as a false-nine for his attacking prowess. The Portuguese forward showed his range and finishing ability by scoring Chelsea’s second goal.

“He is not just receiving the ball at the feet,” said Maresca about Neto’s performance. “He also likes to attack in-behind something which Cole and Christopher struggle [to do].”

Despite the ongoing protests from some fans regarding club ownership, manager Maresca urged them to trust the process.

“The only thing I can say is that in this moment the fans have to trust,” said Maresca. “We’re in the right direction and we’ve been top four most games of the season.”