Chelsea’s forward duo, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, are facing mounting pressure as they continue their frustrating goal droughts.
Both players started in Chelsea’s recent defeat against Legia Warsaw in the Conference League but failed to find the back of the net, stretching their respective goal droughts to 15 and 12 games.
A Difficult Night for Chelsea Against Legia Warsaw
The Blues lost 2-1 on the night against Legia Warsaw, but they advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate win.
Despite this, the atmosphere was tense, with Chelsea’s own fans expressing their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance.
The result underscored Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal, especially with Palmer and Jackson unable to break their barren run.
Maresca’s Confidence in His Strikers
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, is under no illusions about the importance of Palmer and Jackson finding their form.
Speaking after the match, Maresca made it clear that Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season are in jeopardy if the two strikers do not start scoring.
He acknowledged the challenge they are facing but remained hopeful.
“I used them to build their physical and mental condition because they’re struggling to score at the moment,” Maresca explained.
“It’s a chance to give them a shot at scoring and getting back on track. But when they don’t score, I’m worried, of course.”
When asked if Chelsea could reach their goal of a top-five finish without Palmer and Jackson firing, Maresca’s response was blunt: “No.”
He didn’t mince words, emphasizing the critical need for goals from his forwards.
A Glimmer of Hope for the Future
Despite the current struggles, Maresca remains confident that the duo can return to form.
He pointed to their past success, highlighting Palmer’s impressive 14 goals in 20 Premier League games before the current drought and Jackson’s strong performances prior to his injury.
“I’m confident because they’ve scored goals in the past,” Maresca said.
“Nico had a tough time with injury, and Cole’s in a similar situation. They both just need to get their sharpness back.”
Expected Contributions Not Being Met
Opta’s xG (expected goals) data paints a concerning picture for both players.
According to the statistics, Palmer should have scored at least five goals during his current run, while Jackson should have contributed three or more from the chances he’s had.
These numbers show just how much they are underperforming given the opportunities they’ve had.
Romeo Lavia’s Return to Chelsea Squad
In more positive news for Chelsea, midfielder Romeo Lavia is set to return to the squad for their Premier League match against Fulham on Sunday.
After struggling with hamstring injuries in the past two seasons, Lavia will be carefully managed, similar to the club’s approach with captain Reece James, who has been told not to play every three days.
James’ leadership was also praised by Maresca after Chelsea’s loss to Legia. Maresca emphasized how crucial James’ no-nonsense approach is for the team, especially during difficult times like these.
Chelsea’s Future Plans and Transfer Decisions
Maresca also addressed several key transfer-related matters.
The club is waiting until the end of the season to make a final decision about the future of Andrey Santos, who has been performing well during his loan at Strasbourg.
Santos is expected to join Chelsea for their Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
Additionally, Chelsea has yet to decide on Jadon Sancho’s future after his loan from Manchester United.
They are weighing whether to keep him or pay a penalty to send him back to his parent club, adding another layer of uncertainty to the squad’s future plans.