Premier League
Mauricio Pochettino Warns Chelsea Players Against Arguing Over Penalties
On Monday, Mauricio Pochettino emphasized that he will not tolerate his players fighting over penalty duties following a contentious incident during Chelsea’s recent victory.
Despite the team’s impressive 6-0 win over Everton, tensions arose as teammates vied for the chance to take a spot-kick. Ultimately, Cole Palmer stepped up and successfully converted the penalty, securing his fourth goal of the match and bringing Chelsea within three points of the Premier League’s top six.
Nevertheless, the joy of the victory was overshadowed by a disruptive moment when Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson had to be physically separated by captain Conor Gallagher to allow Palmer to take the penalty and maintain his flawless record from the spot this season, with the score standing at 4-0.
“It’s a shame,” said Pochettino. “I was telling the players. We had a meeting with all the staff, I think we cannot behave in this way. I told them this was the last time I accepted this type of behavior. It’s impossible after a performance like this to show this kind of behavior”. He continued “If we want to be a big team fighting for big things we have to think more of the collective… I won’t accept that this happens again.”
Pochettino stated, “Discipline is the most important thing in our team and the offensive players need to show they are hungry to score goals, but this type of situation I am not going to accept”. “I am going to be very strong. I promise this won’t happen again”.
Palmer’s ninth converted penalty of the season brought him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, with both players having scored 20 goals in the Premier League.
In a recent FA Cup quarter-final victory against Leicester, Raheem Sterling overruled his ex-Manchester City colleague and missed a penalty for Chelsea. Despite the episode, Palmer stood firm in his decision to continue taking penalties but downplayed the incident’s importance.
“Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it,” said Palmer. “I think we are showing everyone is wanting to take responsibility. It may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win we are laughing and joking about it.”
