Enzo Maresca has made one thing crystal clear ahead of the start of the new season. Cole Palmer is Chelsea's designated penalty taker, which will go down well with supporters after last season's spot-kick fiasco.
The Blues secured their inaugural pre-season victory by cruising to a 3-0 win over Club America early on Thursday morning. Two of the goal were penalties, with Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke each converting one.
The scene was a far cry from the controversy in April when Madueke and Nicolas Jackson faced backlash for their squabble over who would take a penalty in the team's emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Everton. Amidst the chaos, Palmer, who netted nine spot-kicks last season, took charge, grabbed the ball off them and slotted it past Jordan Pickford.
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After Thursday's win, Chelsea manager Maresca left no room for ambiguity regarding the club's penalty-taking hierarchy. "I decide the taker," he said with authority.
"I told Tosin [Adarabioyo] for the first penalty to tell Noni that Christopher Nkunku must take it. I understand Noni's desire to take penalties and that's why he took the second one. But I am the guy who decides. And when he returns with us, for sure Cole [Palmer] is the taker."
Chelsea took an early lead when Romeo Lavia, who had a season plagued by injury last year, was brought down in the box. Nkunku, who also saw little action due to injury, successfully converted the penalty from 12 yards.
The second goal came from a collaboration between two summer signings, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross being headed into the net by Marc Guiu halfway through the first half. Then, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Nkunku secured a second penalty for his team after a dazzling run into the box, reminiscent of Eden Hazard, which ended with him being taken down by the goalkeeper. Madueke then stepped up and scored, making it 3-0.
This victory was much needed for the Blues, who began their pre-season campaign with a 2-2 draw against League One Wrexham and a 4-1 loss to Celtic. Their next match is against Manchester City, whom they will face on the opening day of the season in two-and-a-half weeks' time, before concluding their overseas tour with matches against Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
