During Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League, a heated on-pitch dispute between Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke caught the attention of former Tottenham Hotspur player Dele Alli. Alli labeled the duo as ‘selfish’ for their actions.
The match saw Cole Palmer score four goals, with Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist contributing one goal each to secure the win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at Stamford Bridge.
However, the spotlight shifted to Jackson and Madueke when they clashed over who should take a penalty awarded to Chelsea in the second half. Even after Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher passed the ball to the designated penalty-taker, Palmer, the argument persisted.
Reflecting on the incident during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Alli slammed Jackson and Madueke for their selfish behavior, pointing out that they did not exhibit similar behavior against Manchester United when Palmer converted a crucial penalty under pressure.
“Pochettino will be disappointed with their actions. He values his players not just as athletes but as individuals, and their conduct was self-centered,” remarked Alli.
He continued, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and discipline, stating, “Scoring goals is important, but it should not come at the cost of team unity. If you are not designated to take the penalty, respect that decision and focus on contributing during the game.”
Alli highlighted the absence of a similar controversy during the Manchester United game, underscoring the need for young players like Jackson and Madueke to learn from such incidents.