Managing Chelsea - Cole Palmer problem identified and £35m transfer hijack option emerges

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Chelsea began this season like a car long overdue for a service - spluttering, coughing and occasionally cutting out. But as they head into the international break, there's suddenly a hum beneath the bonnet.

Saturday's 2-1 victory over Liverpool - sealed by a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Brazilian wonderkid Estevao - has transformed the mood around Stamford Bridge. It felt like a cleansing moment after weeks of stalling, with three defeats, two draws, four red cards and a wheelbarrow full of injuries making Enzo Maresca's side look more scrapyard than supercar.

That said, the smoke hasn't quite cleared. For all the late drama and newfound optimism, Chelsea remain a team still searching for rhythm and consistency, having failed to string together more than two wins in all competitions since their triumphant - but, as it's increasingly proving, fitness-draining - Club World Cup campaign.

The squad also looks a touch underpowered - partly due to the club's lengthy injury list , but also because of the sheer number of unknown quantities in the ranks, with most of Chelsea's summer arrivals yet to turn heads or raise eyebrows.

Here, Mirror Football examines the key priorities Maresca must tackle as Chelsea approach the meat of the season, with the Italian under pressure to prove he's not only the man to take the Blues back to the big time, but do it in style too.

One glaring issue in Chelsea's attacking setup is the lack of consistent goal threat from the flanks. Estevao's stunning late winner against Liverpool marked just the third goal from a winger in all competitions this season - one of which was scored by Tyrique George while playing at No. 9.

It's a paltry return that echoes the struggles of last season. In 2024/25, just 23 per cent of Chelsea's goals came from wide players. At last season's title-challenging clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal , their wingers were responsible for 50 per cent and 38 per cent of goals, respectively.

The importance of prolific attackers cannot be overstated. The world's best teams typically have three or four players reaching double figures each season, spreading the goalscoring burden rather than relying on a single player - as Chelsea currently do with Cole Palmer .

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Maresca, drawing from his time under Pep Guardiola , knows this is key to sustaining a title challenge or even a top-four push, yet Chelsea's current output suggests a tactical or confidence deficit that must be addressed urgently.

Fortunately, the raw materials are there. Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Estevao have all hit double figures for previous clubs, while Pedro Neto has shown the sort of clinical edge that could see him deliver big numbers in the future.

Whether through technical coaching or confidence-building, Maresca must find a way to get his wingers into scoring positions more regularly, instilling the kind of belief that would have them netting from all angles and situations.

Getting the wide players firing would also ease the burden on strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, both still finding their feet in west London. Pedro has started brightly but isn't yet ready to carry the club's goal-scoring responsibility alone, while Delap, whose start at Chelsea has been disrupted by injury, will need time and patience as he navigates only his second season in top-flight football.

Chelsea's reliance on Palmer as their creative and goalscoring linchpin has become painfully evident during his recent injury absence. The 23-year-old's ability to unlock defences with a deft pass, mazy run, or a clinical finish has been the spark that so often ignites the Blues, with Palmer contributing a staggering 76 goal contributions in 101 appearances for the club so far.

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Without him, Chelsea have, at times, looked bereft of ideas, with their attacking rhythm stuttering and the squad leaning heavily on moments of individual brilliance. The lack of a high-quality deputy capable of replicating Palmer's dual threat - both creating and scoring - has exposed a critical vulnerability in Maresca's squad, one that could derail their ambitions if not addressed in the transfer market.

The summer window offered glimpses of what could have been, with Chelsea linked to versatile attacking talents like Xavi Simons , whose blend of vision, dribbling, and goalscoring nous would have made him an ideal stand-in for Palmer.

Ultimately, Simons ended up at Tottenham , but one name that could resurface this coming January is Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, a dynamic midfielder previously on Chelsea's radar . The Spaniard's ability to break lines, score from distance and dictate play in tight spaces mirrors Palmer's skillset - as does his knack for arriving in the box.

In many ways, the Blues are well-stocked at No. 10. Estevao has played there for Palmeiras - and reportedly sees himself playing more centrally moving forward. They also signed creative ace Facundo Buonanotte late in the window, while Enzo Fernandez has been used there on occasion too. But none of those three do not have the relentless pizazz that Palmer does.

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If the England man's injury problems persist, Maresca will need to find a stand-in of genuine quality - one who can fill Palmer's shoes without a significant drop-off in attacking efficacy. A targeted signing - whether Lopez or another elite playmaker - would not only provide depth but also foster competition, pushing Palmer to maintain his high standards.

Chelsea's defensive frailties have been a little too persistent for a side who have spent over £1billion on talent in the last few years. In 10 games, the Blues have conceded 13 goals, keeping a clean sheet on just three occasions.

Injuries, particularly to key centre back Levi Colwill, have exacerbated the issue, leaving Chelsea's backline looking patchwork and prone to errors. Their current options - Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, and Josh Acheampong - either lack the commanding presence of a true defensive leader or are still developing as players.

Even when fully fit, former prodigy Fofana has struggled to recapture his pre-injury form and his fitness remains as unreliable as ever. The absence of a marquee centre back has left Chelsea vulnerable, especially against high-pressing or physically imposing sides.

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Maresca's tactical setup, which often demands defenders to play out from the back, requires both technical assurance and mental resilience - qualities the current crop hasn't consistently shown. January presents an opportunity to address this, with Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi , whose contract expires at the end of the season, emerging as a potential target.

The former Chelsea youngster was on the verge of joining Liverpool for £35million in the summer before the move collapsed at the 11th hour on Deadline Day, and the Blues could look to steal a march on the Reds by swooping for Guehi - whose composure, aerial prowess, and Premier League experience would instantly elevate the backline - after Christmas.

If a big-name signing proves elusive, Maresca must focus on shoring up the defence through tactical adjustments and confidence-building. Simplifying roles during high-pressure moments, drilling better positional discipline, and fostering strong partnerships could mitigate the current vulnerabilities.

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If Saturday's win over Liverpool proved anything it's that Chelsea have the mettle to rise to the occasion, with Badiashile, Acheampong, James, and Hato all delivering standout performances against a raft of elite attackers - and with Colwill on the mend, focusing on developing their own players could ultimately prove more beneficial than looking outward for reinforcements.

Chelsea's recent spate of ill-discipline has become a significant hurdle in their quest for consistency, with three red cards in three weeks - plus one for Enzo Maresca after his over-exuberant goal celebration against Liverpool at the weekend.

This, coupled with an accumulation of yellow cards, have disrupted team cohesion, forced constant line-up changes, and left the Blues looking erratic when composure is needed most. This sort of dysfunction threatens to undermine Chelsea's aspirations for a title challenge or even a secure top-four finish, as suspensions and selection headaches pile pressure on an already injury-hit squad.

The root of this ill-discipline appears to stem from a combination of inexperience and tactical overzealousness. Maresca's high-pressing system, which demands intensity, may also be contributing to mistimed tackles and unnecessary bookings, as players struggle to channel their energy effectively.

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The manager's own red card against Liverpool suggests a broader cultural issue within the camp, where frustration can boil over under pressure. Left unchecked, this pattern risks derailing key matches, especially in a tightly contested Premier League where every point matters.

To address this, Maresca must instil a greater sense of discipline without dulling Chelsea's edge. Smarter decision-making must be emphasised and tactical tweaks may be needed to reduce the volume of reckless fouls being committed.

By fostering a culture of accountability and focus, Maresca can transform Chelsea's somewhat erratic energy into a controlled intensity, ensuring their newfound momentum isn't squandered through avoidable cards and suspensions.

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