Maresca plans to drop Cole Palmer from Chelsea’s starting XI

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that he plans to drop Cole Palmer from the Blues’ starting lineup in upcoming matches to help alleviate the growing attention on the player from opposition defenses.

Maresca’s decision follows Palmer’s struggles with being tightly marked by defenders, a tactic that has limited his impact in recent games, including Chelsea’s recent 2-2 draw against Everton in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old midfielder has become a marked man this season, with Premier League teams increasingly assigning a player to shadow him throughout matches.

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This development was especially evident during the Everton clash, where Palmer found it difficult to break free from his marker.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Boxing Day match against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, Maresca acknowledged Palmer’s challenges and stressed the need for the player to improve his performance under close marking.

“He still has to improve in those moments, especially because if you get frustrated, you lose focus on the game,” Maresca said. “Game after game, he will learn more about how to deal with man-to-man marking and how to move effectively.”

Maersca also suggested that limiting Palmer’s exposure could be a key part of his development. “We’ve already protected him in the Conference League, which is why he was not in the squad there. But that is why he always starts in the Premier League,” he added.

As Chelsea seeks to manage Palmer’s growth and protect him from excessive scrutiny, Maresca’s tactical adjustments could play a significant role in the player’s continued evolution at Stamford Bridge.