LONDON – Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca has zeroed in on what he sees as the root of Cole Palmer’s recent struggles: it’s all in his head. The young star, once a scoring machine, hasn’t found the net in weeks, and Maresca isn’t mincing words. Speaking at a press conference on April 26, the Italian manager laid it bare, calling Palmer’s dry spell a “mental thing” that’s got nothing to do with tactics or coaching.
Palmer, the 22-year-old midfielder who lit up Stamford Bridge last season, has been a shadow of himself lately. His last goal came in February, and fans are starting to murmur. Maresca, though, isn’t panicking. He insists the team’s overall progress is clear, pointing to Chelsea’s climb up the Premier League table as proof his system works. But for Palmer, it’s about getting his mind right. The boss didn’t sugarcoat it: top players hit walls, and this is Palmer’s. How he bounces back, Maresca said, is what matters.
The comments come after a string of matches where Palmer’s missed chances have cost Chelsea points. On April 16, he flubbed a penalty against Arsenal, a moment that had fans groaning and pundits dissecting his body language. Maresca, however, stood by his player, noting that Palmer had been under the weather the night before but still pushed to play. “That’s the kind of effort we need,” the manager said, though he didn’t shy away from saying Palmer’s got to sort out his headspace.
Chelsea’s board, for their part, seems to have Maresca’s back. Official club statements this month have reiterated support for the manager’s vision, with a focus on long-term growth over quick fixes. Palmer, despite his slump, remains a key piece of that puzzle. Last season, he bagged 22 goals in the Premier League, a tally that had bigger clubs sniffing around. Now, with Chelsea sitting fifth and chasing a Champions League spot, Maresca’s banking on Palmer to rediscover that spark.
The manager’s blunt take hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some see it as a risky move, putting pressure on a young player already under scrutiny. Others call it a wake-up call, a chance for Palmer to dig deep. Either way, Maresca’s not backing off. He’s made it clear: Palmer’s got the talent, but the mental hurdle is his to clear.
Chelsea face Tottenham next on April 29. Palmer’s expected to start. All eyes will be on whether he can shake off the fog and deliver.