- Cole Palmer endured a frustrating night despite Chelsea’s 4-0 win on Tuesday
- Enzo Maresca was seen in discussion with his star man on the pitch at the end
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Can INEOS really be judged after 12 months?
Enzo Maresca has shed light on what he told Cole Palmer after Chelsea’s main man endured another frustrating night, despite his side winning 4-0.
The Blues made light work of rock-bottom Southampton on Tuesday night with Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella the scorers.
Palmer had chances to add a goal or two of his own but could not find his mark and Maresca was spotted in deep discussion with Palmer on the pitch after Chelsea’s latest win.
The England and Chelsea attacker even took to Instagram after the match to post on his Instagram story: ‘Don’t worry, I will be back.’
‘It is quite easy. All of them, they went through some bad moments, it is normal,’ Maresca said afterwards of Palmer’s slump, which has seen him not score in the league since January 14.
‘You cannot expect every season or game, it is normal. He is a human being. He misses goals, he misses some things, it is about how you react I was telling him it’s OK.’
Enzo Maresca (left) sought out Cole Palmer (right) for a conversation after Chelsea’s 4-0 win
The Blues dominated but it was a frustrating evening for Palmer, who did not score or assist
Asked specifically what he told a dejected Palmer at the final whistle, Maresca explained the positive reinforcement he is channelling right now.
‘I said he has been lucky in his career,’ Maresca added.
‘He has shared changing rooms with top players and he knows they go through bad moments. Keep working, keep laughing, enjoy your football.’
Maresca’s management style and candidness in interviews drew praise from TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole after his latest Palmer revelation.
‘He is very open and gives us what we wants,’ Ferdinand said.
‘That is one thing that drives me about him. An underlying confidence.’
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole added: ‘With managers like him who have been top players, they don’t talk in riddles.
‘You just need your manager to say this and that’s exactly what Palmer needs.
Maresca told Palmer to ‘keep working, keep laughing, enjoy your football’ in their brief chat
‘He will be frustrated, but he knows a big goal is coming.
‘Ex-players know that. It is refreshing to hear him speak like that.’
Palmer is only 22 but he is Chelsea’s talisman and despite the dominant win on Tuesday there was a feeling at Stamford Bridge that it was the perfect night to get their star man started up again, only to waste the opportunity.
He has failed to score a goal for seven games and he is on a 14-game stretch without an assist for Chelsea.
