Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been told he must "make sure that there are no bad feelings" among the squad following an on-field bust-up over a penalty.
The Blues thrashed Everton 6-0 at Stamford Bridge on Monday, but there was some controversy after they were awarded a spot kick in the second half. Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke both wanted to take the penalty and Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher was forced to step in.
Cole Palmer, who had already scored a hat-trick, eventually took and scored the penalty and former Blues winger Pat Nevin has warned Pochettino he has to ensure there is no "festering residual anger" stemming from the incident.
" Mauricio Pochettino has to take control and make sure that there are no bad feelings," Nevin told Grosvenor Casinos. "If they walk in the dressing room afterwards and Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madeuke and Cole Palmer are all laughing and giggling about it then that's fine, if there is any festering residual anger, then you've got a problem.
"Palmer has said that they were having a laugh about it after and that's the key, if anyone has lingering anger then it's up to the manager to sort it out. I've been in teams where it's happened when there are big personalities and egos there’s a deal of selfishness involved and it's about how you manage it.
Premier League odds and betting tips"Going forward, you've got to have the right attitude and learn something from it. They're young, there are a lot of young players there. They're learning the game, they're learning some of the rules behind it."
Following the game, Pochettino insisted he will not allow his players to "behave in this way" again. "It is a shame. I was telling the players when we arrived from the pitch," he told Sky Sports.
"We had a meeting with all the staff also and we explained and were talking. For me it is a shame because we cannot behave in this way and I can only apologise. I told them that this is the last time that I accept this type of behaviour.
"Next time those involved in a situation like this are all out. This is not a joke. It's impossible after a performance like this to have this type of behaviour that shows that we are in a process and we will learn a lot.
"We are a great team fighting for big things. We need to change and think more in a collective way. It’s so clear and I made clear to them and through you, to the fans and to everyone that Cole Palmer is the taker, and then if Palmer wants to give it to another he can."
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