'I decide' - Enzo Maresca sets things straight with Chelsea players following last season's Cole Palmer bust-up

The new Blues boss insists that Palmer will be the penalty taker for the Blues this season, after an embarrassing row at Stamford Bridge last season. In April, both Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson clashed over spot-kick duties as they attempted to take the penalty, before team-mates intervened and Palmer eventually scored.

Chelsea beat Club America 3-0 on Thursday morning, chalking up their first win of the campaign after a 2-2 draw with Wrexham and a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Celtic. Two of the goals in the victory came from the penalty spot, with Christopher Nkunku and Madueke both finding the net from 12 yards, but Maresca is insistent Palmer will be taking penalties once the season kicks off.

Maresca said: "I decide the taker, and 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 is the taker."

Chelsea play Manchester City in their next friendly on Sunday before taking on Real Madrid and Inter. They kick off their Premier League campaign against City at Stamford Bridge on August 18.