Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphasized that his team is becoming less reliant on star midfielder Cole Palmer.
Since joining the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for a reported £45m, Palmer has been a key figure, scoring or assisting an impressive 48 goals in 47 Premier League appearances. This reliance has led to growing concerns of over-dependence on the young talent. Former manager Mauricio Pochettino even referred to the team as “Cole Palmer FC” last season.
Maresca, who succeeded Pochettino, addressed the need for Chelsea to evolve beyond focusing solely on Palmer, especially as opponents increasingly employ man-marking tactics against him. In Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool in October, Curtis Jones helped neutralize Palmer’s threat, prompting Reds manager Arne Slot to praise the midfielder’s work off the ball.
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Speaking before Chelsea’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Maresca reflected on the team’s progress. “If you remember, in my first press conference, I said we cannot rely on Cole for every game because it is not correct,” he stated. “He has to enjoy football, and if we prepare the season thinking Cole is the only solution, we are wrong.”
Maresca pointed to the collective effort from his attacking players, with Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jadon Sancho, Enzo Fernandez, and João Félix all contributing well.
Despite this, Palmer remains Chelsea’s top scorer (nine goals) and assist provider (six) in the Premier League, though Nicolas Jackson’s recent run of form has helped ease the burden. Madueke, while sometimes questioned for his work ethic, has also contributed significantly with seven goal involvements this season.
Palmer was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Europa Conference League group stages, watching from the sidelines as players like Christopher Nkunku and João Félix featured in the competition.