Former Arsenal striker, Alan Smith, has criticized Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke for their on-field argument over who would take a penalty during Chelsea’s 6-0 victory against Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
Smith expressed his disbelief at the situation, urging the players to act more maturely. He emphasized that he had never witnessed such behavior on the pitch before.
During the match, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer scored four goals, with additional goals from Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist. However, tensions arose when a penalty was awarded to Chelsea, and both Jackson and Madueke wanted to take the shot.
Jackson initially took the ball and headed towards the penalty spot, but Madueke attempted to claim it from him. This led to a brief argument between the two players until Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher intervened and handed the ball to Palmer, who successfully converted the penalty.
Smith, commentating for Sky Sports, criticized the players’ behavior, stating, “That is poor, that is so poor. Who’s the penalty taker? Cole Palmer. Give him the ball and let him take it. Don’t worry about individual stats. Noni Madueke is desperate to take this! He is arguing with Nicolas Jackson. I have never seen anything like it, especially given the scoreline. Grow up. I don’t blame Palmer for not wanting to give it up; he is the designated penalty taker and the best one at it.”
The incident highlighted the importance of teamwork and respect for designated roles within a football team. Smith’s comments serve as a reminder to players about the significance of putting the team’s success above individual desires.
