Palmer and Poch end our penalty spot arguments

@pythagorasinboots on X

Chelsea pulled off a comfortable 6-0 against Everton yesterday, but the scoreline was overshadowed by a sour incident on the penalty spot.

Jackson and Madueke had to be pulled away, with the former visibly angry, after a scuffle over who should step up to take the penalty. Jackson then walked away and didn't rush to celebrate with Palmer, and Madueke went straight down the tunnel after being substituted. 

Chelsea have been awarded the most penalties in the PL this season, and Palmer has an unbeaten record from the spot, scoring all 9. However, Chelsea's other attackers (bar Mudryk) felt they deserved to be given a chance. Furthermore, there had been no official word on Chelsea's designated taker from Poch before this game, leaving the players on the pitch to make that call for themselves.

After this incident, and repeated behaviour in past games, Poch came forward and confirmed Palmer as the designated taker - and that the incident had been cleared up and nipped in the bud. 

I've got no issues with some friendly debate over taking a penalty - Madueke is a young attacker who has featured a lot in our recent games, and of course wants opportunities to add to his goal tally to show his ability. Jackson had already scored his 10th of the season in this game, and as the named striker, of course he'd want to keep padding his stats.

But when there's a designated taker, there's a designated taker. Palmer is a special player, undoubtedly our player of the season, and in the running for the Golden Boot as well as the PL POTY and YPOTY. In these situations we need to be backing him and giving him as many oppurtunities as possible to stay ahead in these races. 

At this point when our team is full of so many fresh and young players, a club hierarchy is in construction. Leaders are being formed, bonds are being made. 

Despite that, I don't think Poch should have made the call earlier, as sometimes it's healthy to have some competition around set pieces; you'll always see several players huddled around a free kick, for example. But when this team is still very young, this approach can run into issues, which is what we're seeing here.

It started in the FA Cup game against Leicester, when a more senior Raheem Sterling took the ball off Palmer, only to miss the penalty. Madueke won his penalty against Man United and was reluctant to give the ball to Palmer. This incident was by far the most severe, and of course, Poch knew something had to be said - the reasoning given in his press conference about the poor behaviour is correct, as it has been a nasty pattern that had to stop. 

These are learning experiences that we are ironing out as this 'new Chelsea' continue to develop. 

But again, like Poch's quarrels with the press room that the questions were too focused on this incident, it takes away from a solid 6-0 thrashing that gives us some late morale in the last few games of the season. I do think it's less of a tactical masterclass and moreso Everton's very poor showing in the game (Dyche called it the worst loss of his career!!) but it gives Poch some breathing room. Some great performances all around, and lets not forget a first goal for Alfie Gilchrist, who looked over the moon in celebration. 

It may be the case that Pochettino will still be in the dugout come the start of next season - and I'm not totally against that, as I struggle to find a better suited option that's currently available, or not heavily linked with another club. 

Players like Cole Palmer are going to be key to that, and if he ends the season with a golden boot, then maybe Chelsea's season will be somewhat saved.