Paul Merson has urged Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca to do one thing ahead of the upcoming European tie against Copenhagen.
Chelsea are back in action in the Conference League competition on Thursday evening when they travel to Copenhagen for the first leg of the last-16 tie. Incidentally, the second leg will be seven days later at Stamford Bridge.
The pressure is on the Blues to go the distance in this year’s European competition.
Chris Sutton claims Chelsea must win the Conference League, adding it’ll be “embarrassing” if they don’t win a tournament where they’re by far the biggest club competing in it. On top of that, it’s the only avenue left open to them if they want to lift silverware this season.
Paul Merson demands Chelsea’s Cole Palmer starts vs Copenhagen
Paul Merson has told Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to ensure he picks Cole Palmer in the starting line-up against Copenhagen.
The 22-year-old attacking playmaker hasn’t scored or assisted in his previous seven matches across all competitions, so perhaps he could look to end his mini drought on Thursday.
Merson told Sky Sports: “Cole Palmer has to play in this game against Copenhagen…
“The only thing was Palmer didn’t score [against Southampton]. He had three or four really good chances in that game where at the start of the season he would have scored them with a blindfold on. Everything went in. Now he’s just snatching a little bit at them.
“He needs one to go in even if it goes in off his backside. Chelsea need that because when Palmer’s playing well, they are completely and utterly a different team. Chelsea would have rather won 2-0 against Southampton and Palmer gets one of the goals than win 4-0 and he gets none of them.”
Palmer has been added to Chelsea’s squad for the Conference League knockout rounds after not playing a part in the group stages. Maresca rested Palmer in the Conference League groups to look after the youngster’s body.
The general pattern in Europe so far this season for the Blues has been heavy rotation, but there would be an element of risk doing that in the first leg away to Copenhagen.
In terms of the fanbase, Chelsea supporters want Palmer starting against Copenhagen in the European showdown.
Cole Palmer running out of time before first England camp under Thomas Tuchel
The March international break is fast approaching, which will include England’s first two games under Thomas Tuchel’s management.
Chelsea play four more matches before the pause in domestic football for the internationals:
- Copenhagen vs Chelsea (6 March) – Conference League
- Chelsea vs Leicester City (9 March) – Premier League
- Chelsea vs Copenhagen (13 March) – Conference League
- Arsenal vs Chelsea (16 March) – Premier League
Not only will Palmer be desperate to rediscover his shooting boots to help Chelsea’s cause, but surely he’s got one eye on his England aspirations as well.
Speaking earlier in the season, Tuchel praised Palmer’s form for Chelsea as he was enjoying a stellar second year in West London. He certainly isn’t going into March’s international break with any kind of momentum right now, though.
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