Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has hinted at plans to drop Cole Palmer from the Blues’ starting XI, citing the need to protect the midfielder from intense marking by opposition players.
Palmer has been tightly marked in several games this season, including Chelsea’s recent 2-2 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. Opposing teams have grown accustomed to the England international’s style of play, often assigning a player to shadow him throughout matches.
As Chelsea prepares to face Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, Maresca addressed the media, acknowledging that Palmer must adapt to these challenges. He also suggested that stepping out of the spotlight temporarily could benefit the player.
“He still has to improve in those moments,” Maresca stated. “Especially because if you get frustrated, you lose your focus on the game. For sure, game after game, he’s going to learn more about dealing with man-to-man marking and how to position himself.”
The coach also revealed that Palmer was left out of the squad for a recent Conference League match to protect him, emphasising that the midfielder’s Premier League starts are part of a strategy to help him develop.
