Recently uncovered footage has shed light on a heated debate among Chelsea players regarding penalty-taking duties during their commanding lead against Everton.
The incident unfolded after Chelsea had already established a 4-0 advantage, and were granted a penalty following a foul on Cole Palmer by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
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Palmer, who had already secured a hat-trick in the first half and led Chelsea to a 6-0 rout of Everton, was the anticipated candidate for the penalty as the team’s go-to this season.
However, the new footage from Sky Sports shows a different story. After Palmer was fouled, Noni Madueke, the winger, quickly took the ball from Malo Gusto, bypassing striker Nicolas Jackson.
Madueke, with the ball under his arm, headed towards the spot, engaging in a heated exchange with Jackson about who should execute the penalty.
Thiago Silva, seasoned in resolving conflicts, stepped in to calm the situation, offering guidance to the disputing players.
The argument seemed to tilt in Madueke’s favor as Jackson stepped back, but Palmer, with a perfect penalty record for the season, asserted his right and reclaimed the ball from Madueke.
Conor Gallagher, the team captain, supported Palmer, while Jackson made one last attempt to sway the decision.
The squabble escalated to physical altercations among Madueke, Jackson, and Gallagher as Palmer prepared to take the shot. Ultimately, Palmer proceeded to successfully convert the penalty.
Following the match, Chelsea’s manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed regret to the supporters for the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by his players.
He said: “It is a shame. We cannot behave in this way, I told them ‘this is the last time of this behaviour’.
I’m sorry but I just can’t get over it, literal children ???? pic.twitter.com/7uh6L1dTuh
— Becky (@_beckyy2) April 15, 2024
“It is impossible to have this type of behaviour after this performance. If we want to be a great team, we need to change and think in a collective way.
“It’s a process for a young team who need to learn a lot. I was talking about this to the players after the game. It’s the last time I want to see something like this. I want to apologise to the fans.
“We need to make clear next time that happens. They need to learn and be professional. We need to be focused on the collective. They knew it was Cole. Cole is the taker. It’s a clear example that it’s a process we still need to learn.”
When asked if Madueke and Jackson would be punished and if they apologised, Pochettino said: “No [there will be no punishment]. It’s about learning. They are young guys.
“Remember Burnley? No one wanted to take and he [Palmer] showed the personality… The discipline is going to be more strong. If they behave like a kid? Here it’s impossible. It’s a shame and unacceptable thing.
“I think we all agreed this behaviour cannot happen again and they were wrong… We are like in a school now to show they were wrong and they need to learn. If they don’t learn after we will take some decisions. Now it’s about to learn and use this type of experience to move on and be better.”
