Chelsea exclusive: John Terry reveals Cole Palmer theory and what Blues must do with Enzo Maresca

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·20 de marzo de 2025

Chelsea exclusive: John Terry reveals Cole Palmer theory and what Blues must do with Enzo Maresca

Former Chelsea captain also discusses Conference League, Club World Cup and the centre-back issue at Stamford Bridge

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Would it be embarrassing, given the quality of opposition, if Chelsea do not win the Conference League?

“That’s your word, it’s certainly not my word!” jokes John Terry, as he dissects Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge of Chelsea, the club Terry captained for 13 years.

Flirting with a title challenge early in the season, the Blues have fallen away in recent weeks, finding winning harder to come by, except in the Conference League.

They are into the quarter-finals of that competition, hoping to become the first club ever to have lifted the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League trophies. Terry won the first two, now for his successors to win the third.

With Fiorentina and Real Betis the only names of any real European pedigree left in the draw, the Conference League is Chelsea’s to lose.

John Terry was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA Club World Cup

It is also Maresca’s last hope of silverware this term.

“Historically we’ve gone into these [European] competitions and done very well,” Terry tells Standard Sport. “It’s now down to this group of players to step up and go and win trophies like this and the FIFA Club World Cup.

“We’re certainly the best team in it,” he says of the Conference League. “In our games, we’ve played 50 per cent of what we can and still come out on top. I’d like to think the bigger the game the better the players will get.

“And this is good experience for those guys. Noni [Madueke] is coming back, Reece James needs the games as well. We’re more than well equipped to go and win this trophy.”

Then, this summer, Chelsea join Manchester City in the new-look Club World Cup, which Terry, now 44 and a club ambassador, sees as an “exciting opportunity”.

Few conversations about Chelsea over the last two seasons have petered out before at least a cursory mention of Cole Palmer, whose 60 goal contributions in 78 matches have made him the Blues’ undisputed talisman and a £42.5million bargain signing from Manchester City.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air. We’ve been delighted to get him at Chelsea,” Terry smiles.

Cole Palmer is on a 10-game goal drought stretching back to January 14

Getty Images

“I think he’s had an incredible start to the season, not only his goals but I also think his performances have been excellent.”

But Palmer has not scored since January 14 and recently missed his first career penalty - a first rough patch in 18 months at Stamford Bridge.

“In terms of current form, it’s not only Cole who’s in that,” says Terry. “Chelsea fall under that category where we’re not playing well at the minute. We’re probably not getting him on the ball as much as we’d like. It’s unfortunate that he takes the brunt of it, really.”

He’s scored an “awful lot of goals”, says Terry. Have people begun to expect him from the 22-year-old? “A little bit, yeah. Wingers, strikers, guys in the pocket like him can go through dips and spells throughout the season. I’m happy with that. It’s my goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders where I want a more robust 8/10 every week.

“Chelsea are not in a good vein of form. Players have to take the responsibility, but I think they will [turn it around].

“Enzo Maresca will be judged on this season and whether Chelsea make Champions League football. I’m sure from the ownership that’s been made very clear.”

Enzo Maresca has come in for some criticism from Chelsea fans

Getty Images

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital inherited Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, they have splashed more than £1.2bn of cash on transfers. Keep spending, says Terry.

“They’ve got to back him. They’ve got to strengthen the squad. That sounds quite bizarre because we’ve invested quite heavily in the football club. But, naturally, not all of those players take off and deliver what you expect.

“I’m sure we’ll dip back in the market and that will be supported by the owners, for sure.”

One problem position has been centre-back, where Chelsea have swapped and changed between Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, given minutes to 18-year-old academy product Josh Acheampong, re-called Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace and sent Axel Disasi on loan to Aston Villa.

“We have a lot of strength in depth there,” says Terry. “Formation plays a part - whether we play a three at the back, five at the back, or Reece drifting inside where we start as a four and then become a three. It’s all a little bit confusing, to be honest.”

Terry formed long-term centre-back partnerships with Ricardo Carvalho and then Gary Cahill at Chelsea.

“I loved to play alongside someone week in, week out, where you build that relationship, have an understanding of each other’s game,” he says. “It’s important we get that. We’ve been a bit unlucky with injuries. I’m sure Enzo would want to cement his back four or back three and get that really consistent.

“The boys are capable. A lot of them have played at this level for a long time now.

“It’s the spine of the team. If it’s a back four, I’d like to see two centre-backs [emerge] and go with them and really stick to that. It’s a case of who the manager fancies, whether Wesley has a bit more pace than others, or Levi or Tosin can step into the role. I’d like to see it cemented.”