Enzo Maresca confirms Palmer as first choice penalty taker, ending last season’s squabbles with Madueke and Jackson under Pochettino.
Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies saw Christopher Nkunku take penalty duties in Cole Palmer‘s absence, with Noni Madueke also getting a chance to score from the spot against Club America.
However, Enzo Maresca intervened in last night’s friendly, instructing Madueke to let Nkunku take the first penalty.
Despite Nkunku’s eagerness to score, Maresca clarified after the match that Palmer will be the team’s primary penalty taker when he returns for the new season.
Maresca’s message to Nkunku and Madueke is clear: Palmer is the designated penalty taker, and they will need to respect that decision.
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He said:
‘I have decided and this is the reason why Christo took the first penalty.’
‘Noni was close to taking one but I told Tosin to tell Noni that Christo is to take the penalty.
Noni left the ball there and Christo took. I understand the desire to score but I am the guy that decides who takes the penalty, not the players.
‘In probably one week I am going to say Noni or I am going to say another player.
But I decide who is going to take the penalty.’
Asked if Palmer is the first-choice taker when he returns, Maresca replied: ‘For sure, when Cole is back because of last year and I know Cole is very good.
‘For sure, he is the taker. But Cole is not here so we decide for another one and Christo is the one.’
Cole Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City last season and quickly became their main player, winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award.
