Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media this week ahead of tonight’s match against Southampton in the league.It’s become a huge match after a terrible run of form and another

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the team's over-reliance on Cole Palmer is affecting his form as the England star goes through his driest run since moving to the London club.

Enzo Maresca says Chelsea do not need Champions League football to convince Cole Palmer of his future at the club - but admits missing out on the top four could impact their summer transfer business.

Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea are over-reliant on Cole Palmer and rejected criticism of the midfielder's body language in recent games.

Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer’s form is not helped by Chelsea’s reliance on him - The 22-year-old remains the club’s leading scorer this season with 14.

Enzo Maresca has called for the rest of his Chelsea team to step up and ease the pressure on the ‘struggling’ Cole Palmer who is ‘upset the club are not winning games’. Palmer has not found the back of the net since the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in January and has gone 13 games without providing an assist.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea are struggling so badly at the moment. I look at them and they are missing Nicolas Jackson quite badly. Without him, I don’t see a real pattern of play. Jackson’s absence is also affecting Cole Palmer, who has to drop deeper now.”

Enzo Maresca has addressed Chelsea's growing issue with Cole Palmer after the Blues star blanked in their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer hasn't scored or assisted a goal in six matches, and the Blues have won just twice in their last 10 games - putting their Champions League hopes in danger

The midfielder's last goal was in mid-January and he last set up a goal on Dec 1. Read more at straitstimes.com.