Chelsea Boss Mauricio Pochettino Warns Players After Penalty Dispute: “Last Time I Want to See This Kind of Behaviour”

In a dramatic turn of events during Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Everton, a dispute over who would take a penalty left manager Mauricio Pochettino “so upset” and warning his players not to repeat such behavior.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke argued over who would take the spot-kick, despite Cole Palmer being the designated penalty taker. Eventually, Palmer stepped up and scored his ninth successful penalty of the season, maintaining his perfect record in the Premier League.

Pochettino expressed his disappointment, stating, “I can’t accept this kind of behavior. It is impossible to have this type of behavior after this performance. If we want to be a great team, we need to change and think in a collective way.”

The incident involved a bizarre 60-second confrontation between five players, with captain Conor Gallagher eventually stepping in to ensure Palmer took the penalty. Pochettino emphasized that all the players know Palmer is the designated penalty taker and that such disputes should not happen again.

Despite the controversy, Palmer himself downplayed the incident, stating, “Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it.” He highlighted the team’s desire to take responsibility and win games.

The victory over Everton marked Palmer’s second consecutive home hat-trick, further solidifying his importance to the team. However, Everton midfielder Dele Alli, watching from the sidelines, criticized Chelsea’s behavior, suggesting that the young team still has much to learn in terms of professionalism and teamwork.

As Chelsea continues to strive for success, Pochettino’s message is clear: unity and a collective mindset are essential for the team to reach its full potential.