Malo Gusto Interview: Cole Palmer and why teammates arguing over penalties is good for competition

Malo Gusto says in some way it is positive to see teammates arguing over who should be taking the penalties as it shows a hunger to score and be competitive in the squad.

Both Nicolas Jackson Jackson and Noni Madueke were warned by a furious Mauricio Pochettino to steer clear of penalty kicks. The boss confirmed for the first time that Cole Palmer was the club’s designated penalty taker.

Earlier in the season Raheem Sterling took one from Palmer and missed it. Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher have since had to intervene to ensure it is Palmer who places the ball, despite the protestations of teammates who want to get on the score sheet.

Malo Gusto, who has been one of the revelations of the season, says he can understand why there was a disagreement over who should take the penalty, as it was a way of pushing each other to get better.

He told LondonWorld: “No, it’s okay, sometimes this can happen. We are all competitive. Nico wants to score, Noni and Cole as well — it’s normal. It’s important to stay together. That’s what we did tonight with the 6-0, we are very happy and we just want to keep pushing for the rest of the season.” 

Cole Palmer has made himself the undisputed new king at Chelsea. His 20 goals make him the joint top scorer in the Premier League and not since Eden Hazard at his peak has a player bagged 20 goals in a league season. 

Asked whether the French team would dread facing Palmer during the Euros in the summer, Gusto laughed before admitting his teammate is special. But he warned his country France will be ready if they meet at the Euros.

He added: “It’s just his talent. He is a top talent, like everyone on the pitch, we are young but we have talent. And yes, we have to keep pushing together.”

On the potential of facing him at the Euros, he said: “No, no. It’s okay, it’s okay, we are waiting for him.” 

Chelsea will now hope that they can build on this impressive win against Everton when they travel to Wembley this weekend to face Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup.