Chelsea star Cole Palmer has singled out a teammate, attributing Chelsea’s disappointing loss to Fulham in the Premier League to the underperformance of a specific player.

Enzo Maresca shared thoughtful tactical insights following his team’s home loss to Fulham.

Reflecting on what went wrong, he emphasized the need for better control of the game, particularly in managing Fulham’s quick transitions.

While his team effectively contained Fulham’s counter-attacks in the first half, Maresca acknowledged a lapse in the opening 15 to 20 minutes of the second half.

During this period, his side struggled to maintain control, allowing Fulham to capitalize on open spaces.

Drawing on his experience as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, Maresca expressed a desire to implement a more compact, possession-based style of play.

He advocated for shorter, controlled passes to keep the team coordinated and make transitions smoother.

This method, he argued, also helps the team recover more effectively when possession is lost, unlike direct attacks with one or two passes, which leave the team stretched and vulnerable to counter-attacks

Maresca stressed that the match underscored the importance of controlling the tempo.

He criticized the chaotic, end-to-end nature of the game in the second half, comparing it to a “basketball match” that suited Fulham’s strengths.

He emphasized the need to stay compact and composed, rather than engaging in an open style that left his team exposed.

Despite the defeat, Maresca highlighted positive aspects, such as his team’s ability to manage Fulham’s transitions in the first half.

However, he admitted the result was disappointing and reiterated the importance of learning from the experience to improve game management.

Ultimately, Maresca’s reflections pointed to a need for a more disciplined, methodical approach to both attack and defense, particularly against teams like Fulham that excel in exploiting open spaces.