Enzo Maresca defends Chelsea’s squad depth amid Cole Palmer’s injury, highlighting their ability to win even without their star player. Fulham’s substitutes, particularly Emile Smith Rowe, have also been impactful. The upcoming match between Chelsea and Fulham is previewed, with Joao Pedro and Rodrigo Muniz highlighted as key players to watch. Chelsea are favored to win based on historical data and Opta’s win probability.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has staunchly defended his team's ability to perform without relying solely on Cole Palmer, dismissing claims that the Blues are a one-man team. Palmer, a key player for Chelsea, was sidelined with a groin injury ahead of their recent match against West Ham. However, Chelsea demonstrated their squad depth with a resounding 5-1 victory, proving they can thrive even without their star player.
“You already know what I think about that. How I feel about it,” Maresca said, addressing the critics who label Chelsea as ‘Palmer FC.’ He acknowledged Palmer's importance, stating, “For sure, Cole is our best player, no doubt. For sure, with Cole we are a much, much, much better team.” However, he emphasized the team's resilience and past successes in Palmer's absence. “But I think we already showed last year in two, three months where Cole, unfortunately for us, was not 100% and we achieved top four.”
Maresca highlighted that qualifying for the Champions League in his first season was not an initial expectation, further underscoring the team's ability to exceed expectations even when facing challenges. The victory against West Ham, where Estevao stepped up to provide an assist, served as a testament to the squad's collective strength and adaptability.
We host Fulham on MD3 of the #PL. pic.twitter.com/a6F2zNdvK2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2025
Meanwhile, Fulham's recent matches have showcased their own strength in depth, particularly their impactful substitutes. In their recent game, Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench to score a crucial equalizer against Manchester United, rescuing a point for his team. Notably, Smith Rowe's goal came just 94 seconds after his introduction, marking the sixth-earliest goal by a substitute since the start of last season. An impressive four of the six fastest goals by substitutes were scored by Fulham players, highlighting their tactical nous.
Smith Rowe attributes Fulham's success with substitutes to their competitive mentality in training. “We are very competitive in training, I think it all comes from there when I score or when I contribute,” he said. He added, “We know when we come off the bench, we have to work hard and score. I know when Alex [Iwobi] gets the ball, I know his trademark cross. I knew where he was going to put it and that I just had to be there at the right time.”
Looking ahead to their next match, here are Players to Watch:
Chelsea – Joao Pedro: With Palmer's potential absence, Joao Pedro could be pivotal for Chelsea. He has been involved in six goals in his last four games in all competitions for Chelsea (four goals, two assists), with four goals in four starts for the Blues. Historically, only a few players have managed to score five or more goals in their first five starts for Chelsea, including Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata, and Tammy Abraham.
Fulham – Rodrigo Muniz: Rodrigo Muniz, who scored a late winner at Stamford Bridge last season, has been a consistent threat away from home. He has scored six goals in his last 10 away Premier League appearances, averaging a goal every 45 minutes. His equaliser at Brighton earlier in the season marked his sixth away goal as a substitute for Fulham, surpassing Collins John for the most in the club's history.
Match Prediction – Chelsea Win: Chelsea's historical dominance over Fulham in the Premier League, with a loss rate of just 8.3%, favors a Chelsea victory. While Fulham did win their previous encounter at Stamford Bridge, ending a long winless streak, they have never won consecutive visits. Chelsea will be keen to avoid failing to win their opening two home games in consecutive seasons, a feat they haven't experienced since the early 2000s.
Furthermore, Estevao's record-breaking assist against West Ham, becoming the youngest player to achieve this for Chelsea in the Premier League, adds another layer of excitement to their potential. Fulham's recent form in away London derbies has been impressive, but Chelsea's overall strength and historical advantage make them the favorites for the upcoming match.
OPTA Win Probability:
- Chelsea – 59.4%
- Draw – 21.2%
- Fulham – 19.4%