Mauricio Pochettino has set a challenge for the players of Chelsea to emulate the example of Noni Madueke, who came off the bench to secure a late penalty and secure a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Despite his limited game time, Madueke’s impact was significant as he substituted Christopher Nkunku in the 71st minute and secured the win for Chelsea with his decisive penalty.

“I want all the players when they are not involved to step up,” expressed Pochettino. “We are not a charity, you know? We are a football club and you need to perform. Sometimes we need to be tough and put the player in front of the mirror and say ‘come on,’ that is not the player that is going to perform.”

Pochettino stressed the importance of realizing the need to compete and aim for victory while highlighting the significance of the group performing for the club they are representing.

The Chelsea manager acknowledged Madueke’s reaction to being out of the team, stating, “I like [his reaction to being out of the team] because it showed that he was upset with me and was disappointed with me because I didn’t play [him] too much, but also because he’s injured. But I think [Madueke said to himself] ‘now I’m going to show the coach that he can trust [in me].'”

Pochettino, who has faced scrutiny following a challenging start to his Chelsea tenure, named the youngest ever Premier League starting XI for the match against Palace. He also discussed the debut of Nkunku, emphasizing the need for him to adjust and become more involved in the team.

Despite the tough game, Chelsea extended their consecutive league wins over Crystal Palace to 12 matches, further highlighting the significance of the team’s performance and resilience.

The Chelsea manager expressed his satisfaction with the impact of the players from the bench, emphasizing the need for consistency and the importance of players stepping up when they are called upon.

Following the victory, Chelsea climbed to 10th in the Premier League standings, preparing to face Luton Town in their next match on Nov. 30.

In conclusion, Pochettino’s encouragement to the Chelsea players to mirror Madueke’s determination serves as a testament to the relentless spirit required to achieve success in football. With the team’s upcoming match against Luton Town, Pochettino’s message of consistency and competitive spirit sets the tone for their future performances.