Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admits his side have Cole Palmer problem

Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea have a Cole Palmer problem.

But the Blues boss says he isn’t worried about Palmer’s happiness after a run of two wins in 10 games has put their Champions League hopes in jeopardy - he’s just trying to find a solution to get their season back on track.

“First of all we need to see how we finish,” says the Chelsea chief. “And then in case we don't finish top four we'll see if Cole is happy or not happy.

“I don't think that Cole is worried in this moment about next year that he wants to play in the Champions League. Cole is just focused on how he can help the team, how we can help him and how all together, we can bring this club where this club has to be.”

England star Palmer hasn’t scored or assisted in six games and is clearly struggling for form. He had little impact on proceedings in the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend.

But Maresca insists it’s nothing to do with any lingering fitness issues, with the whole squad having been put to the test during a special fitness training session last week - and Palmer emerging as the squad’s fittest player.

And he insists the solution to getting Palmer back among the goals - be it scoring or creating - has to come not from Chelsea’s No.20, but from within the entire team.

The Italian says: “When things are not going well for him, he trains even harder. Absolutely. I love that. I will tell you one detail that is very important. Every six or seven months we do a physical test.

“We did it in pre-season. We did it last week. And he was, of all the squad, the strongest one, the one that ‘won’ the test. And it was a physical test. That shows his desire is not only on the ball. He is working hard. He is showing his desire. He is doing fantastic.

“But because everyone is relying on Cole, people see in Cole always the solution. But the solution has to be the team.”

And Maresca says he has no intention of resting the playmaker against bottom of the table Southampton on Tuesday night. Asked about giving Palmer a midweek rest, he said: “No to be honest. He is always someone who can do something different. Top players can do that.

“In terms of the numbers, of goals and assists, it’s a moment where he struggles. But he is getting into the right positions. I am not concerned about Cole as he is a human being and he will have some moments where he struggles.

“The problem is we rely on Cole for everything and I have said from the start we need to rely on the team.”

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