Managing Chelsea – Cole Palmer issue emerges and £35m transfer solves Enzo Maresca concern

Chelsea started this season like a car in desperate need of a service: spluttering, coughing and occasionally cutting out. However, as they head into the international break, there's suddenly a purr beneath the bonnet.

Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Liverpool, sealed by a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Brazilian prodigy Estevao, has transformed the atmosphere around Stamford Bridge. It felt like a cathartic moment after weeks of stalling, with three losses, two draws, four red cards and a slew of injuries making Enzo Maresca's side look more scrapheap than supercar.

That being said, the smoke hasn't quite dissipated. Despite all the late drama and newfound optimism, Chelsea remain a team still seeking rhythm and consistency. The Blues have failed to string together more than two victories in all competitions since their triumphant-but-draining Club World Cup campaign.

The squad also appears somewhat underpowered, partly due to the club's extensive injury list. But this is also because of the sheer number of unknown quantities in the ranks, with most of Chelsea's summer arrivals yet to make a significant impact.

football.london explores the key priorities Maresca must address as Chelsea approach the crux of the season, with the Italian under pressure to prove he's the man to take the Blues back to the top.

Get the wingers scoring

Chelsea's attacking line-up has a glaring issue in its lack of consistent goal threat from the wings. Estevao's late, stunning winner against Liverpool was only the third goal scored by a winger in all competitions this season, with one of those goals coming from Tyrique George while playing as a No 9.

This meagre return mirrors last season's struggles. In the 2024/25 campaign, just 23% of Chelsea's goals were netted by wide players. In contrast, at title-contending clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal, wingers accounted for 50% and 38% of goals, respectively.

The significance of prolific attackers is immense. The world's top teams usually boast three or four players hitting double figures each season, distributing the goal-scoring responsibility rather than depending on a single player, a situation Chelsea currently find themselves in with Cole Palmer.

Maresca, drawing on his experience under Pep Guardiola, recognises this is crucial for maintaining a title challenge, or even a push for the top four. However, Chelsea's current performance suggests a shortfall in tactics or confidence that needs immediate attention.

Fortunately, the potential is there. Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Estevao have all previously hit double figures for their former clubs, while Pedro Neto has demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing that could see him deliver impressive numbers in the future.

Maresca must devise a strategy to get his wingers into scoring positions more frequently, instilling the kind of confidence that would see them scoring from all angles and situations. This would also alleviate the pressure on strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, both still acclimatising to life in west London.

Pedro has made a promising start but isn't yet prepared to shoulder the club's goal-scoring duties alone. As for Delap, whose Chelsea career has been hampered by injury, he will require time and patience as he embarks on only his second season in top-flight football.

Cole Palmer alternatives

Chelsea's dependence on Palmer as their creative and goal-scoring fulcrum has become glaringly apparent during his recent injury layoff. The 23-year-old's knack for unlocking defences with a clever pass, intricate dribble, or a precise finish has often been the catalyst for the Blues, contributing an impressive 76 goal contributions in 101 appearances for the club to date.

In his absence, Chelsea have occasionally appeared devoid of inspiration, with their attacking flow faltering and the team heavily reliant on moments of individual brilliance. The lack of a high-quality understudy capable of emulating Palmer's dual threat, both creating and finishing chances, has revealed a significant weakness in Maresca's squad, one that could jeopardise their aspirations if not addressed.

The summer transfer window provided a tantalising glimpse of what might have been, with Chelsea linked to versatile attacking talents such as Xavi Simons. His combination of vision, dribbling ability and goal-scoring prowess would have made him an ideal buffer for Palmer.

Simons ultimately ended up at Tottenham, but one name that could re-emerge this coming January is Barcelona's Fermin Lopez. This dynamic midfielder was previously on Chelsea's radar and should remain there.

The Spaniard's ability to break lines, score from long range and control play in tight spaces mirrors Palmer's skillset, as does his knack for arriving in the box. And just as Palmer was able to realise his potential outside Manchester City, Lopez could hit the same heights if he leaves Catalonia.

Estevao played as a No. 10 for Palmeiras on occasion and reportedly sees himself playing more centrally in the future. They also signed creative maestro Facundo Buonanotte late in the window, while Enzo Fernandez has occasionally been used in that role too. However, none of these three possess the relentless all-round ability that Palmer brings to the table.

If Palmer's injury issues continue, Maresca will need to find a high-quality replacement, someone who can fill Palmer's boots without a significant decrease in attacking effectiveness. A targeted signing, whether it's Lopez or another top-tier playmaker, would not only provide depth but also stimulate competition, pushing Palmer to maintain his high standards.

Bolster the defence

Chelsea's defensive woes have been all too frequent for a team that has splashed out over £1billion on talent in recent years. In their last 10 matches, the Blues have let in 13 goals, managing to keep a clean sheet on only three occasions.

Injury woes, particularly to key centre-back Levi Colwill, have compounded the problem, leaving Chelsea's defence looking makeshift and error-prone. Their current options, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong, either lack the authoritative presence of a true defensive leader or are still honing their skills.

Even when fully fit, former wonderkid Fofana has found it difficult to regain his pre-injury form, and his fitness continues to be as unpredictable as ever. The lack of a standout central defender has left Chelsea exposed, particularly against teams that press high or are physically superior.

Maresca's tactical approach, which often requires defenders to build play from the back, demands both technical proficiency and mental toughness, attributes the current squad hasn't consistently demonstrated. January offers a chance to rectify this, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, emerging as a potential recruit.

The former Chelsea youth player was on the brink of a £35million move to Liverpool in the summer, but the deal fell through at the last minute. The Blues could now seize the opportunity to swoop for Guehi, whose calmness, aerial dominance and Premier League experience would immediately bolster the defence.

If a marquee signing proves unattainable, Maresca must concentrate on strengthening the defence through tactical tweaks and confidence-boosting. Simplifying roles during high-stress situations, instilling better positional discipline, and nurturing strong partnerships could alleviate the current weaknesses.

Saturday's victory over Liverpool demonstrated that Chelsea have the grit to step up when it matters, with Badiashile, Acheampong, James, and Hato all putting in exceptional performances against a host of top-tier attackers. With Colwill on the road to recovery, focusing on developing their own players could ultimately be more beneficial than seeking external reinforcements.

Address ill-discipline

Chelsea's recent run of ill-discipline has become a significant obstacle in their pursuit of consistency, with three red cards in as many weeks. On top of that, Maresca was also dismissed following his overly enthusiastic goal celebration against Liverpool at the weekend.

This, along with a build-up of yellow cards, has disrupted team unity, necessitated constant changes to the line-up and left the Blues appearing erratic when calmness is required. Such dysfunction threatens to undermine Chelsea's title aspirations, or even a secure top-four finish, as suspensions and selection dilemmas add pressure to an already injury-ridden squad.

The root of this lack of discipline seems to originate from a mix of inexperience and tactical over-enthusiasm. Maresca's high-pressing system, which requires intensity, may also be leading to poorly timed tackles and unnecessary bookings, as players struggle to effectively channel their energy.

The manager's own red card against Liverpool suggests a wider cultural issue within the squad, where frustration can escalate under pressure. If not addressed, this pattern risks derailing crucial matches, especially in a tightly contested Premier League where every point counts.

To rectify this, Maresca must instil a stronger sense of discipline without dulling Chelsea's edge. Emphasis must be placed on smarter decision-making, and tactical adjustments may be needed to decrease the number of reckless fouls being committed.

By cultivating a culture of accountability and focus, Maresca can transform Chelsea's somewhat erratic energy into controlled intensity. The hope is this would ensure their newfound momentum isn't wasted through avoidable cards and suspensions.