Maresca reveals what he told Tosin to tell Madueke after Chelsea were awarded first penalty v Club America

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that he told Tosin Adarabioyo to pass a message to Noni Madueke shortly after the Blues were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes of their friendly against Club América on Thursday morning.

Christopher Nkunku put the Blues into the lead after two minutes of play, converting a spot kick after Romeo Lavia was fouled in the box one minute and eleven seconds into the match. 

Maresca has given clarity about his side's penalty taker after the incident involving Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku in their 3-0 victory over Club América.

Madueke scored a penalty in the game which rounded up the scoring but also attempted to take the Blues' first spot kick until Tosin informed him he was not the designated penalty taker.

The Anglo-Nigerian forward was then given the opportunity to score from the spot when Nkunku was brought down, ten minutes before the end of the normal duration.

Last season, the 22-year-old argued with Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer on who would take the spot kick before Mauricio Pochettino publicly announced the latter as the designated taker.

Maresca has also borrowed a leaf from his predecessor by addressing the designated penalty taker situation during his post match interview after his side's victory over Club América.

In quotes relayed by talkSPORT, he said: "I decide the taker. This is the reason why Christopher shot first the penalty. Because Noni was close to shooting, but I told Tosin (Adarabioyo) to tell Noni that Christopher has to shoot the penalty.

"So Noni left the ball there and Christopher shot. I can understand the desire to score. But I am the guy that decides who shoots the penalty."

"And Noni knows the players. In this case, I've decided that Cristo is going to take the penalty now.

"But I decide who is going to take the penalty."

The Italian tactician also confirmed Palmer as the first choice spot kick taker

"So for sure he's the taker. But at the moment, Cole is not here. So we have to decide for another one and Christopher is the one."

Chelsea recorded their first preseason victory against the Mexican side and will be seeking to make it back-to-back victories when they face Manchester City on Saturday at the Ohio Stadium.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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