One-word Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson admission is telling as Enzo Maresca makes brutal point

"No," was the simple, but honest answer from Enzo Maresca when asked whether Chelsea could achieve their targets if Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson's form continues.

Combined, the duo have scored 23 times in the Premier League this season - a figure that accounts for 41% of the side's goals. However, both have been massively off the boil in front of goal in 2025.

has not scored for 15 games - astonishingly - with his last goal coming on January 14 in the draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, 's goal drought extends longer than Palmer's, although the Senegalese striker's run without scoring is only 12 games. The 23-year-old striker has not found the back of the net since the victory against Brentford on December 15.

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Two of Chelsea's most important attacking players are struggling and this has - unsurprisingly - seen the Blues' form suffer as a result. Since the turn of the year, the west Londoners have played 19 matches in all competitions, but have won less than 50% of them (nine wins, six losses and four draws).

Going into Sunday's trip to Fulham, Chelsea could be - dependant on results - down in seventh-place before they even kick a ball at Craven Cottage. has made it clear in recent months that the Blues' main target this season is to finish in a Champions League place; that is of course achievable by securing a top-five spot this term.

if Chelsea can do that if Palmer and Jackson continue their barren spells in front of goal, Maresca replied: "No." And then when he was pressed on his one-word response, the head coach was asked whether he was confident they could get back amongst the goals sooner rather than later: "[I'm] confident because they scored goals.

"They have scored goals. It's just a moment that they need to turn a little bit that moment. But I said before, Cole scored 14 goals in 20 Premier League games. So he scored goals.

"Nico was the same before the injury. Now, unfortunately, Nico was out for two months, so probably physicality needs a little bit more. And this is the same for Cole."

In Palmer's case in particular, opposition defenders are undoubtedly marking him more tightly this season after an unbelievable debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, where the England international scored 25 goals and registered 15 assists in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino.

It is not quite as simple as Palmer being figured out - so to speak - and Maresca believes there are a number of different reasons behind the 22-year-old's form. "I think there are different reasons why," . "For sure, a moment where you struggle is part of their career, their process, their season.

"Last year, he had a fantastic season. This season, we said many times that the way the team approaches him is in a different way. Most of the time he's being marked man to man. That is more difficult for any player in the world.

"But even with that, he scored 14 goals in 20 games, the first 20 games. So for me it's just a matter of a bad moment, and in the moment that he's able to score a goal, it will probably change again."