Chelsea winger Pat Nevin praised Cole Palmer for taking charge and scoring a penalty against Everton, despite a dispute between teammates over who should take it. The Blues were leading 4-0 when a second-half penalty was awarded. Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke had argued over who would take the penalty, but Palmer, Chelsea’s regular taker, stepped up and scored his fourth goal of the match.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment, stating that he couldn’t accept such behavior. Ex-Scotland international Pat Nevin echoed Pochettino’s sentiment on BBC Radio 5 Live, emphasizing that Palmer is the designated penalty taker and others should respect his decision.
Nevin commended Conor Gallagher for supporting Palmer and criticized the other players involved in the dispute. He explained that in dressing rooms and squads, the rule is to defer to the designated penalty taker and respect their decision.
Nevin further stressed the importance of team unity and management’s role in ensuring players work together effectively. He suggested there should be consequences for players who don’t adhere to team rules but also acknowledged that young players like Jackson and Madueke have room for growth and improvement.
In conclusion, Pat Nevin praised Cole Palmer for stepping up to score a crucial penalty against Everton despite a dispute between teammates. He reiterated that designated penalty takers should be respected by their teammates, while also acknowledging that young players need guidance on how to behave in such situations.