image via - @ChelseaFC/ X X

‘Not Relying Only on Cole’ – Enzo Maresca Asks His Squad To Step Up Ahead of Chelsea vs Manchester United in the Premier League

Maresca Emphasizes Team Effort Over Palmer Reliance Ahead of Crucial Premier League Match

image via - @ChelseaFC/ X X

Manchester United will host the hungry for points Chelsea side on the big game day in the Premier League on Friday. Enzo Maresca’s side, after failing to win a game in their past four contests, find themselves in a nervy situation on the points table.

Trailing by two points to Manchester City, the Blues currently stand fifth with two games to go. Facing United this week and Nottingham Forest as their last contest, Maresca and his side will play their most crucial games of their campaign in the coming few weeks.

Cole Palmer is a big fan of Lamine Yamal 🤝 pic.twitter.com/0CWA79npQ7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 16, 2025

Maresca Highlights Palmer’s Key Role but Urges Team-Wide Effort

Cole Palmer is been at the heart of Chelsea’s attacking prowess this season. Putting up match-winning performances and improving the players around him, the Englishman led his side to dominating victories at the start of the season.

Slipping in form, Palmer’s form faded towards the mid-season as he went months without scoring. Some would also argue that Chelsea was built too much around Palmer, which backfired at Marseca after a point.

On being asked how important it is for Palmer to step up in the crucial clashes, Maresca hinted he would like to see all of his squad put in efforts. Stating that it’s every player in the squad who deserves a spot in the UCL, Maresca, in his United pre-match interview, said,

“We are happy with that kind of performance from Cole. If he can score and assist, we are even happier. Cole desires to be an important player in these last three games.”

‘But Cole is not the only one who deserves Champions League,’ continued Maresca.

“Moi [Caicedo] is also a player who deserves Champions League, and Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill. This is the reason why we have been there and we are going to try to finish there, because we have many players in terms of status who deserve to play the Champions League.”

Urging his players to realise the responsibility and not relying on Palmer, Maresca in his interview continued,

“All the players need to step up. We have different players who can take responsibility in these games. It’s not just about Cole; I don’t agree with relying on Cole for everything.”

‘We have more players who have improved this season in terms of leadership and as players. We mentioned before Caicedo, Fernandez, and Colwill. Reece James is our captain. All of them need to step up.”

Cole Palmer has led Chelsea in both goals and assists in the Premier League this season. Having 18 G/A in 35 games, the 23-year-old is having a season of redemption following his move from Manchester City.

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With players like Reece James and Moises Caicedo encouraged to step up to the occasion, Chelsea will need their leaders in the upcoming games. With the stakes higher than ever, Maresca will have a lot riding on his attacking prowess as well.

Chelsea will have the UECL Finals against Real Betis later before the Club World Cup. Needing the players needing to secure the UCL spot in the final two games, the intensity of the games is only going to increase for the Blues in their final few weeks of the season.

Chelsea

Cole Palmer

Enzo Maresca

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!