In a disappointing Carabao Cup outing, Chelsea fell to Newcastle United with a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday night at St James’ Park. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca addressed the unexpected decision to keep promising England international Cole Palmer on the bench throughout the match.
Chelsea’s defeat was sealed by a combination of sharp Newcastle play and Chelsea’s defensive mishaps. Alexander Isak scored the opener for Newcastle, and an unfortunate own goal by Chelsea defender Axel Disasi doubled the lead, ultimately sending Chelsea out of the competition in the Round of 16.
Fans were quick to question Maresca’s choices, particularly his decision not to play Palmer, who has been a significant presence in previous matches. Palmer remained an unused substitute, even as Chelsea struggled to break down Newcastle’s solid defense.
Maresca explained his decision in the post-match interview, saying that he had confidence in the two players already on the field in Palmer’s usual position. According to Maresca, both Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku were performing well, and he didn’t see the need to make further changes. When asked directly about Palmer’s absence, Maresca responded, “Simply because I think Joao and Christo were doing very good.”
During the game, Maresca only made one substitution, bringing on Noni Madueke in the second half. But Palmer remained on the bench, sparking disappointment from fans hoping to see his creativity on the field.
Explaining the limited use of substitutes, Maresca emphasized his confidence in the team’s original lineup. He clarified, “The reason why [we brought him] was in case we needed Cole but Joao and Christo were doing well so there was no need to change.”
