“Can Chelsea’s remaining games be played on Monday night please?”
The above statement is one of plea from many fans connected to Chelsea as the blues last lost a game on Monday in 2018 (A 1-0 loss to yesterday’s opponent, Everton).
Coming off a disappointing 2-2 draw against bottom of the league Sheffield United, Mauricio Pochettino’s boys came out of the dugout with the needed aggression and bite.
The Blues’ aggression and intensity couldn’t be matched by Sean Dyche’s men and that resulted in a Palmer-led Chelsea running away with the game with a 4-0 halftime win.
It was quite strange to see Chelsea ‘relaxed’ and comfortable in a premier league game but the second half did take the turn of a “Exhibition game” as Pochettino’s young Blues kept things simple and snuffed every fight away from the visiting Toffees.
Despite the comfortable win, Pochettino’s Blues didn’t leave the pitch without a huge talking point for fans and pundits alike, one attitude that has become customary.
Yesterday, with the game 4-0 already in favor of Chelsea and Palmer having registered his second hattrick in his first full season, the Blues got awarded a penalty for a double foul on first; Cole Palmer and then Noni Madueke.
Instinctively, Noni picked up the ball after winning the penalty but Cole’s presence on the pitch despite having registered a hattrick saw the captain of the day Conor Gallagher grab the ball from Noni before handing over to Palmer who had to shrug off Nicolas Jackson.
The above narrated incident was quite an embarrassing watch for fans and viewers round the world, so we ask;
“Was Palmer selfish to take the spot-kick after scoring a hattrick or was either of Jackson and Noni at fault for dragging the ball with Cole?”
In my view, Palmer had absolutely every right to take the spot-kick even after he had scored an hattrick already in the same game.
Firstly, he is yet to miss a spot kick for Chelsea since joining on deadline for 42 million pounds and considering he has a shot at the golden boot with 20 goals already in the premier league alone this season, he had every right to take.
It is in the interest of this young team if a player has decided to take up responsibilities like Palmer has done and it is only right if the rest of his Chelsea teammates aim to help the 21-year old achieve this impressive feat in a tumultuous season like we have had so far.
Also, it is important to note that Noni showing up for the ball also means he’s willing to share in the burden of leading the team but he now has to tame his ego and take the back seat while Palmer leads the team from the forefront.
On Jackson’s end, I think it was rather disrespectful to see the former Villarreal man try to pull the ball back from Palmer after the captain (Gallagher) had handed the ball over to the former City man.
Jackson has never taken a penalty since joining Chelsea and considering his sometimes woeful striking of the ball, it was surprising to see him disgruntled after Palmer tucked the penalty away (refused to celebrate with Cole and had to be cajoled).
Clashes of egos like yesterday shouldn’t be tolerated in a young team with many players still finding their feet.
It goes to show also why Chelsea need more experienced and controlled heads in the squad.
Up next for Chelsea is a big, big tie against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.
