Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea have got rid of their “Cole Palmer FC” tag following Wednesday’s convincing win against Southampton.
The Blues have made a brilliant start to the season and currently sit second, seven points behind leaders Liverpool, whilst they are the top scorers in the league with 31 goals from 14 games.
Maresca’s men have exceeded expectations and have taken many people by surprise with how well they have done, with the big question now whether they can sustain it over the course of the season.
Maresca feels Chelsea are no longer “Cole Palmer FC”
Last season under Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea were regularly accused of being over reliant on Palmer, who scored 22 goals and 11 assists in a brilliant Premier League season.
This led to Chelsea getting the tag of “Cole Palmer FC”, but following the signings of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedo Neto to further bolster the attacking ranks, this season has been a different story.
Palmer has still contributed a lot and is the club’s top scorer in the league with nine goals, whilst he also has six assists, and won another award earlier this week.
Enzo Maresca with Cole Palmer after a win over Aston Villa. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Palmer has now scored in back to back Premier League games. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
However, the supporting case have stepped up and Christopher Nkunku has 12 goals in all competitions, whilst Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have eight and five Premier League goals respectively, with ten different players scoring for the Blues in the league this season.
Maresca was asked in the build-up to the Tottenham game whether he felt Chelsea had shaken that tag and he responded emphatically.
“Yeah, and we are very happy,” he told The Evening Standard.
“If you remember in my first press conference, I said that we cannot rely on Cole for every game because it is not correct.
“He has to enjoy football, but if we prepare the season thinking Cole is the only solution then we are wrong.
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Chris Sutton working as a pundit for the BBC. (Photo: Richard Sellerrs/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty))
Enzo Maresca shouts instructions on the touchline. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Nicolas Jackson celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Liverpool.
“We work every day to allow Cole to be in situations where he can be the best and be good. You see that we move him from the right side to the left side, or from one side to the other side, because we want to put players in situations where they can be the best.”
Palmer will be looking to score for third Premier League game running as the Blues take on Tottenham on Sunday aiming to make it four Premier League wins in a row.