Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Chelsea do not have a set penalty and players have the right to make decisions on the pitch.
- Palmer and Sterling were involved in a penalty
- Enzo had to step in to decide for them
- Pochettino reveals no penalty awarded
WHAT HAPPENED? During last weekend’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling argued over a spot-kick. To restore order and resolve the situation, Enzo Fernandez played the role of peacemaker. He intervened in the fray and eventually gave the nod to the young summer signing who buried it next to David Raya between the sticks.
Pochettino has now made a stunning revelation that Chelsea do not have a set penalty and the players have the freedom to decide on the pitch.
WHAT THEY SAID: “There are few players who can take the penalty. It’s about their feelings. As a coaching staff we give them the responsibility to make decisions on the pitch,” he told reporters.
“It’s not just one player, that player will be in charge. It shows that Cole was prepared to take the two penalties he took. Normally it will be him if he is on the field. But if not, I’d be happy with Raheem, with Nico (Jackson). For me, the most important thing is to have the decision and the personality to go.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Palmer has two Premier League goals this season and both have come from the spot. At the age of 21 years and 168 days, he achieved the milestone of becoming the third youngest player in Premier League history to score penalties in consecutive appearances. This remarkable feat places him behind only two other players, Bukayo Saka, who achieved it at the age of 20 years and 230 days, and Peter Ndlovu, who achieved it at the age of 21 years and 50 days.
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WHAT’S NEXT? Chelsea will be back in action against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.