Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea star is "happy" despite "struggling for goals" as he requests fans trust team
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca spoke up attacker Cole Palmer, despite the fact that he’s not scored since mid-January.
Chelsea got back into the top four after a comprehensive 4-0 win against Southampton on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
They took the lead via Christopher Nkunku in the 24th minute. Pedro Neto then scored, before Levi Colwill made it 3-0 before halftime. Marc Cucurella then scored in the 78th minute to make it four goals for the hosts.
It leaves Maresca’s side fourth, just one point off Nottingham Forest in third, who play against Arsenal on Wednesday night. It was a statement win for a Chelsea side that has struggled recently, winning just one game in their last four games.
However, despite the 4-0 win, it was a quiet day for attacker Cole Palmer yet again, who has struggled for form as of late.
Cole Palmer “happy” despite poor scoring form
Palmer had such a strong start to the season under Maresca, but his form has cooled slightly, as he hasn’t scored a goal since mid-January in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
He also hasn’t provided an assist since the start of December, meaning that he’s struggled to make a big impact for the Blues as of late. But despite that Maresca says he is still happy at Chelsea.
He said after the game against Southampton: “Cole Palmer is a human being, All players at all big clubs go through bad moments where they struggle to score.
“At this moment Cole is struggling to score but he’s happy and he knows it’s something normal. Even if he’s young, he’s spent time in a big club with big players and he knows that all big players go through moments like this.
“It’s how you react and he’s reacting perfect, he’s laughing, he’s happy. He has to enjoy football. We don’t have any doubt he’s going to score more goals.”
Palmer will hope to bounce back in their next Premier League game which doesn’t come until a home game against a struggling Leicester City side on Sunday 9 March.
Chelsea boss Maresca pleads for “trust” from the Stamford Bridge faithful
Earlier in the season, it looks like a certainty that Chelsea would finish in a Champions League spot, with the words ‘title contenders’ being mentioned in connection with Maresca’s side.
However, since the start of calendar year, their form has depleted, and they will now have to battle hard to get into the top four this season. Despite this, Maresca has said that the fans need to trust that the team will get the job done.
He said: “The fans have to trust the players. They are doing a huge effort every day to bring this club to the Champions League.