Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says the club cannot expect Cole Palmer to score every week after the star man drew a blank against Southampton on Tuesday evening.
The 22-year-old took seven shots, more than any of his teammates, and spurned a number of good chances as the Blues ran out 4-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has now gone seven games in all competitions without a goal or assist, his longest dry spell since joining the west London outfit from Manchester City in 2023.
Chelsea have lost four times in that period, but Maresca is certain the goals will return for the England international.
Chelsea ‘cannot rely on Cole Palmer for every game’
“We said since we start we cannot rely on Cole for every game,” the Italian told BBC Match of the Day after the final whistle.
“He has to continue to work, continue to be happy, continue to laugh the way he does.
“We are completely happy with him. It is normal to go through a moment where you struggle to score but it doesn’t matter. Just continue and you are going to score many goals.”
The win over Southampton ended a three-match losing streak for Chelsea, who jumped from sixth to fourth in the Premier League table.
