Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens question why Enzo Maresca said Chelsea will ask Cole Palmer if he is still "happy" if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca defends Cole Palmer after his penalty miss in their 1-0 victory against Premier League strugglers Leicester City which ended the playmaker's 100 per cent record from the spot and extended his goalless run to nine matches in all competitions.

Cole Palmer extended his goal drought in the Premier League to seven games and 683 minutes, with the forward's five shots against Leicester meaning he has had 29 shots since last finding the net against Bournemouth in January.

This season, the England international has netted 14 times but his last goal came in mid-January while he last registered an assist on 1 December in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was calm about the lack of goal involvements that Palmer has produced over recent weeks and said: "When you score a goal you are probably more happy,

Cole Palmer's dry spell in front of goal has not had an adverse effect on the Chelsea attacking midfielder's mood, manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of a Premier League meeting with Leicester City.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 14:00 GMT). Here are the key lines from his news conference: On facing his former side: "Every team is playing for some target.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League last-16 game at Copenhagen (kick-off 17:45 GMT). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Cole Palmer,

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We needed to change the plan before the warm-up and this is why we are so happy because we adapted. Don't forget that Leicester against Arsenal for 80 minutes was 0-0.

Midfielder Cole Palmer will return to Chelsea's Conference League squad on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 clash at Danish side Copenhagen, manager Enzo Maresca said.

Cole Palmer is set to make his first appearance for Chelsea in Europe since August when the Blues face Copenhagen in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday.

Forward Cole Palmer will be asked if he is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer if Chelsea miss out on Champions League qualification. (Times - subscription required), external Want more transfer stories?