Cole Palmer will be Chelsea’s starting penalty taker for the forthcoming Premier League season, according to Enzo Maresca’s confirmation.
Chelsea’s players quarreled with Palmer on many occasions throughout Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, with Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson getting into arguments with Palmer.
Although the Argentine coach insisted he told the players that Palmer was always the first choice, Pochettino came under fire for the manner he handled the matter.
Christopher Nkunku has filled in for Palmer throughout Chelsea’s preseason campaign this summer, however Madueke was permitted to score from the spot in Wednesday night’s 3-0 victory over Club America.
However, Maresca has revealed that he had to instruct Madueke to give the ball to Nkunku for Chelsea’s first penalty in last night’s friendly, with the winger once again showing his desire to score from the spot.
Speaking after Chelsea’s win in Atlanta, Georgia, Maresca made it clear to both Nkunku and Madueke that Palmer will be the team’s first-choice taker when he returns to the side for the new campaign.
‘I have decided and this is the reason why Christo took the first penalty,’ Maresca said when asked if he had made a decision over Chelsea’s penalty taker.
‘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.’