keep laughing: Maresca addresses Cole Palmer's poor form

Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca defended Cole Palmer after the England international had another underwhelming performance in the 4-0 triumph over Southampton. 

Palmer was Chelsea's best player last season, maybe the best in the division. He was the silver lining in an otherwise dark Blues cloud, registering 33 goal contributions for a side that finished 6th. 

He carried that form into this season and was integral in the Blues' early-season charge for the title; however, unlike the previous campaign, he has lost his immunity to Chelsea's poor form and is on a run of mediocre performances. 

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The former Manchester City man has not scored or assisted in Chelsea's last six Premier League games. It stretches to seven if you add their FA Cup exit to Brighton. 

Following the game against Southampton yesterday, in which he missed two gilt-edged chances, Maresca made a point of defending his form. He praised his team for their showing against the Saints, ending their run of losses, before stressing that Palmer’s current form is an unavoidable stage in the cycle of any player. 

“We are all former players. All of us went through some bad moments,” Maresca said, per the BBC. “You cannot expect Palmer to be like he was last season or how he was in the first part of the season. It's normal. 

“He is human. I was telling him it was normal. He is happy. He is OK. He has shared the changing room with some top players, and he knows that every top player goes through bad moments. 

“It's about how you react. Keep working, keep laughing, keep calm, be happy, and enjoy the football. It's the only thing you have to do."