BBC pundit criticises the Cole Palmer tactic Chelsea tried to use vs Manchester United

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It is fair to say that Dion Dublin was not impressed with what he saw from Chelsea’s players in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

Neither Chelsea nor Manchester United played great, with the first half of the game ending 0-0.

A Bruno Fernandes penalty and Moises Caicedo wonder strike were the only things that prevented the match from being one of the most boring Premier League matches in recent history.

Dublin, though, certainly does not think that Enzo Maresca‘s men helped themselves with the way they attacked.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca shares his plan to help Cole Palmer get the better of his markers during Chelsea matches

Dion Dublin suggests Chelsea played like a one-man team

Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s best player and probably by some distance. It is no surprise that his teammates always look to him.

In 10 Premier League appearances this season, the attacking midfielder has scored seven goals and provided five assists.

However, in the first half of Chelsea’s draw with United, Dublin felt that Palmer’s teammates were looking for him too much.

Commentating on the game for the BBC, the former Aston Villa forward said: “Every Chelsea player when they get near the box is trying to find Cole Palmer. When he is not available you have to find a way to get a shot off and not waste these opportunities.”

The attacking midfielder did not put in his best performance in a blue shirt, but he still had his moments. Palmer produced one bit of skill that almost left Gary Neville speechless.

Chelsea not a one-man team despite Cole Palmer dependency

Can Chelsea over-rely on Palmer at times? Yes, but the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have shown this season that Maresca’s side are not just a one-man team.

They have also won points for Chelsea in the current campaign, with Madueke scoring a hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Jackson bagging a brace versus West Ham United, for example.

Having Moises Caicedo in midfield is also allowing Palmer to move around the pitch and thrive. The 23-year-old is offering Chelsea a lot of defensive steel in the middle of the park at the moment.

Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are giving Chelsea protection right now, according to former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent.