Chelsea: Frustrated Palmer ‘pushes’ for Maresca’s dismissal over single issue as ‘board’ stance on sacking emerges

Recent reports indicate that Cole Palmer is increasingly dissatisfied at Chelsea, with suggestions that he is eager for Enzo Maresca to be dismissed from his role as head coach. At just 23, Palmer has emerged as one of the Premier League’s standout performers, carrying much of Chelsea’s attacking spark over the past two seasons. However, this campaign has not started well for him, largely due to a nagging groin problem. The England international was forced off only 21 minutes into the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, a result that intensified scrutiny on both the team and Maresca.

Criticism of the Italian coach has grown louder since that loss, with many questioning his tactical decisions and branding his substitutions as “really negative.” Some outlets even went as far as labeling him “a fraud,” further adding to the pressure. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Palmer now feels Maresca is holding the club back from reaching its true potential. The midfielder is reportedly calling for a stronger identity within the squad—one that balances individual brilliance with a consistent collective plan.

This has fueled speculation that Palmer has directly expressed his unhappiness and made it clear he wants change at the top. Despite his frustrations, Chelsea’s board is not yet ready to part ways with Maresca. Their position, as revealed in the report, is that while they remain committed to supporting him, there is a clear expectation that results must improve soon. With massive investments poured into the project, patience is thin, and another season of inconsistency will not be tolerated.

Maresca’s troubles were further highlighted in the Carabao Cup clash against Lincoln City. Although Chelsea fought back to secure victory, pundit Chris Sutton described it as a “nightmare” evening for the manager, particularly pointing out goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen’s shaky display. Sutton argued that Chelsea’s long-standing goalkeeping issues continue to haunt the team, leaving Maresca under even more pressure to turn things around quickly.

For now, Palmer’s discontent adds another layer of tension at Stamford Bridge, raising questions about how long the board’s backing of Maresca can realistically last if performances and results fail to improve.