vox888 Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has advised Cole Palmer’s team not to carry the world, but to think back to where he started, playing football because he enjoyed it, and once he adjusts his mindset, outstanding performances will return. vox888

The 22-year-old is the Blues’ top scorer in the Premier League but has been without a clean sheet in seven games, including yesterday’s 4-0 rout of Southampton, despite having two or three clear chances.  ( vox888 )

However, Maresca is not worried about the performance of the English player, saying that what needs to be adjusted is the mental state, encouraging him to go back to the feeling of playing and smiling and coming back. 

“He still has to go back to training, continue to play football happily, continue to laugh about everything he does,” he said after the game at Stamford Bridge. 

“It’s normal for a footballer to go through moments like this, when you’re stuck scoring goals, but it’s not a big deal.”

“Just keep your head down and keep working, and the next basket of doors will come by itself.” 

The positive sign is that Palmer is starting to smile even when he misses a one-on-one, shoots from a tight angle and hits the post, or takes a free kick at the end of the minute and it’s saved. 

  “It’s the way he responded, it was perfect, still smiling and looking happy,” the 45-year-old added. 

“We have no doubt that we will score another goal.” 

“He’s a human being, it’s what any person will face, whether you’re a great player or an ordinary player, playing for a great team, coached by a great manager – we all have tough times.”

“Another thing is that he is still young. He has had experience at big clubs, so I know that all great players must have gone through the same period.” 

Palmer started off the season red-hot, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in his first 21 league games, but has since struggled to make an impact.