Enzo Maresca makes decision on Cole Palmer after subtle dig at Chelsea star

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has stuck by despite his ongoing issues in front of goal as the Blues looking to further their push for the against . A win would take up to fourth.

Palmer is Chelsea's joint top scorer this season having scored 14 times in all competitions. However the 22-year-old scored all of his goals in the first 23 appearances this season and has since gone 16 games without finding the back of the net.

Maresca appeared to , claiming it is a mental problem and not the team's system hampering him in any way. However he's retained his starting berth and will form and attack that also includes Pedro Neto and Nicolas Jackson.

He said: "For sure, it's mental. I don't think it's tactical, I don't think it's technical, because Cole is still the same player that scored this season with us – 14 goals in the in 20 games.

"Cole is the same one. The style of football we play is the same one. The manager is the same one. The club is the same one. So nothing changes around Cole and Cole doesn't change. It's just mentally in this moment. We try always to set up our game to put our best player in a condition to be dangerous. We have done since we started. We are doing that every game."

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Palmer was Chelsea's shining light last term and broke the 20-goal barrier in his first season with the club following his move from . He continued with that form to begin the campaign, but has tailed off at the business end of the season.

Chelsea have won two of their past four, drawing twice, but face a daunting final few games. The Blues are desperate to return to Europe's top table but face games against and before a final day showdown against , who currently sit above them.

The Blues were held at Everton back in December, but the Toffees have since warned off any threat of relegation and will comfortably finish in mid-table once again. Chelsea needed a late goal from Pedro Neto to see off last week at Craven Cottage.

Maresca is taking charge of his 50th game as Blues boss but won't in the dugout because of a touchline ban after picking up his third yellow card of the season last week. Instead former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero will lead the team from the technical area.

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