Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has raised concerns over Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach in the team’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. While the match saw Pedro Neto equalize for Chelsea after Gabriel Martinelli’s opener for the Gunners, Hoddle feels that Maresca's setup restrained one of Chelsea’s key attacking threats, Cole Palmer.

The match featured a tactical battle, but Hoddle pointed out that Palmer, who has been one of Chelsea's standout performers, was largely ineffective during the game. Speaking on Stadium Astro, Hoddle questioned why Palmer was not utilized in a more advanced role, suggesting that the setup limited his impact.

“So they didn’t put him in midfield, they put [Malo] Gusto in midfield from the right-back position which stopped Palmer for me,” Hoddle said.

Hoddle explained that placing Gusto in a more central position reduced Palmer’s freedom, particularly in the attacking third. He added that Palmer was not given the opportunity to play in his natural role, which could have seen him more involved in Chelsea’s attacking play.

“Gusto played in that inside left channel and tied him down a bit. For me, there are times when you have to let that lad play across the arc and play as a 10. He didn’t really play as a ten, he was in that inside forward position, and Neto was outside of him until he came over to the right in the second half, which I was hoping because he’s better on the right.”

Chelsea’s Tactical Dilemma: Is Palmer Being Misused?

The debate over Palmer’s positioning highlights a key issue for Chelsea: finding the best role for their attacking players in Maresca’s system. While Palmer has shown promise as a versatile forward, his natural ability to cut inside and influence the game from a more central position appears to have been restricted.

Maresca’s choice to shift Malo Gusto into a midfield role in the game against Arsenal may have been intended to provide balance, but it arguably stifled Palmer’s influence. Hoddle’s observations underscore the need for flexibility in tactics, particularly when managing a player of Palmer’s potential.

Opinion: Maresca Must Adapt to Unlock Palmer’s Potential

As Hoddle pointed out, there are moments in a game when it’s essential to allow attacking players to express themselves freely. Palmer thrives when given the space to operate as a “10,” where he can link up play, drift between the lines, and create chances. By limiting him to a more static inside-forward role, Chelsea may be underutilizing one of their brightest talents.

Maresca is undoubtedly still finding his feet as Chelsea manager, but matches like this one against Arsenal offer a valuable lesson. If Chelsea are to challenge for top honors, they need to get the best out of their attacking players—especially Palmer, who has the ability to unlock defenses with his dribbling and creativity.

This tactical adjustment could be the key to Palmer’s rise at Chelsea and, ultimately, to the club’s attacking success this season. Maresca must trust his players’ instincts and allow them to flourish in positions that best suit their strengths.

What do you think? Should Maresca give Palmer more freedom, or is the current system working? Share your thoughts below!