MAURICIO POCHETTINO IGNORES ANGRY DEMAND TO SUSPEND CHELSEA PLAYER AFTER WEMBLEY INCIDENT

Mauricio Pochettino named Noni Madueke in his starting line-up to face Arsenal despite the winger attracting criticism for laughing and joking after the Blues' FA Cup exit.

Madueke, who was involved in a controversial moment regarding penalty duties in their Premier League win against Everton, caught flak from former Chelsea star William Gallas for his antics at Wembley. The winger was seen laughing with Manchester City winger Jack Grealish moments after City won to book their place in the final.

In the light of the incident, Gallas argued Madueke shouldn't even be in the matchday squad for the London derby against Arsenal. Instead, though, Pochettino handed him a third straight league start.

The 22-year-old has been in and out of the team under Pochettino this term, but scored in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester and the league draw with Sheffield United. With top scorer Cole Palmer missing out through illness, the manager ignored Gallas' concerns to include Madueke from the get-go.

“After what happened against Everton, Noni Madueke should know better," Gallas told Lord Ping. "I don’t know what is going to happen with Noni Madueke after this. I think the club and the manager have to stand up and take the responsibility and discipline the player.

"I’m sorry. He shouldn’t be in the squad for the Arsenal game. There are so many cameras that film absolutely everything on the pitch. After losing a semi-final, it was not the time to have a joke with your friend on the pitch. I’m sorry.

"This isn’t about older generations or new generations of players and the differences between them. There will be a lot of people who were offended by his actions, it won’t just be me.”

Was Mauricio Pochettino right to start Noni Madueke? Have your say in the comments section

With Palmer unavailable, Pochettino started with a front three of Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson. There was also a start for academy talent Alfie Gilchrist at right-back, with Malo Gusto missing out through injury.

Opponents Arsenal made changes of their own. Takehiro Tomiyasu was fit to return after injury, while Thomas Partey started a Premier League game for just the fifth time this season.

"It is difficult," Pochettino told TNT Sports when asked about Palmer's absence. "It is not always easy to replace a player who is doing well for us. But yes, I was saying yesterday we need to know how we need to play and players can be unavailable. It can happen."

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2024-04-23T19:17:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd