LONDON, England – Enzo Maresca don put challenge for im senior Chelsea players to ‘take responsibility’ as dem prepare for di last two Premier League matches. Dem need to win against Manchester United today and Nottingham Forest next Sunday to secure di Champions League spot dem believe say dem deserve for next season.
If Chelsea fit snag victory in both games, na only serious swing on goal difference go deny dem a top-five finish. Dis go ensure Champions League football for di 2025/26 campaign and give di players chance to showcase wetin dem fit do on top di biggest stage.
Cole Palmer don dey key for Chelsea dis season. Though seven of im eight appearances dis season don come from bench, im don clock just over 180 minutes. Maresca sabi say Palmer go wan shine for di season finale because he fit help Chelsea secure dem Champions League destiny, even if statistics no always show am.
Maresca talk, ‘Probaly people dey judge important player based on dem ability to score or assist, but against Liverpool for example, although he don score last-minute penalty, im performance na top in all aspects: sacrifice, desire, and helping teammates.’
Im continue, ‘We dey happy with dat kind performance from Cole. If he fit score and assist, we go happy well well. Cole’s desire na to be an important player for dis last three games.’
But Maresca also quick to clarify sey Palmer no be di only one wey dey owe Chelsea Champions League. ‘Moi [Caicedo] too na player wey deserve Champions League, and Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill. Na di reason why we don dey push and we go try to ensure dem reach di Champions League, because we get plenty players wey fit play am.’
Maresca now wan see di players show dem big-boy mentality for dis crucial period of di season. ‘All di players need to step up. Plenty of dem fit take responsibility for di games. E no go just be about Cole; I no agree sey we go rely on Cole all di time.’
‘We get more players wey don improve dis season in leadership and on di field. Reece James na our captain, and all of dem need to step up,’ Maresca add.
Cole Palmer don lead Chelsea in goals and assists for di Premier League dis season, with 18 goals/assists in 35 matches. Di 23-year-old dey enjoy redemption season after im move from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, di time don dey press for Chelsea as dem face United dis week and Nottingham Forest for dem last match. Maresca go need all im attacking strength to maneuver through dese crucial fixtures. After di matches, Chelsea go also face Real Betis for di UECL Finals before di Club World Cup. Securing di Champions League spot in di last two games dey very important, and di intensity of di games go increase for di Blues as di season dey draw near to di end.
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