Eidur Gudjohnsen predicts ‘strong words’ in Chelsea dressing room after Ross Barkley misses penalty in Champions League defeat by Valencia
- Eidur Gudjohnsen criticised Ross Barkley after Chelsea lost to Valencia
- The midfielder missed a penalty as Blues chased an equaliser at Stamford Bridge
- Willian and Jorginho appeared to question Barkley’s decision to take the kick
- Frank Lampard insists Barkley is his side’s designated penalty taker this season
Former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen believes Blues players exchanged ‘strong words’ after Ross Barkley’s missed penalty in the final minutes of their Champions League group stage defeat by Valencia.
Valencia star Rodrigo opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, but the hosts were handed an opportunity to equalise after referee Cuneyt Cakir ruled Daniel Wass had handled in the area.
Barkley engaged in a lengthy debate with colleagues Willian and Jorginho before placing the ball on the penalty spot; going on to blast onto the crossbar and over from 12 yards.
Ross Barkley looks dejected after missing a penalty in Chelsea’s home defeat by Valencia
‘Definitely words have been said, and strong words’, Gudjohnsen told BT Sport. ‘Whether it’s the manager, the managing staff or the players between themselves.
‘These things happen. Players all have big egos. We all want the headline and when you feel confident you just want to grab that headline and make it your own, but in a way it’s disrespecting you team-mates’.
‘As a manger, don’t you want your captain to come in and say “look it’s been decided before the game”? Step in as a captain and use your authority.’
Team-mates Jorginho and Willian initially appeared to ask Barkley to give them the ball
Eidur Gudjohnsen suggested Barkley’s decision to take the spot-kick was disrespectful
Blues boss Frank Lampard was eager to defend Barkley in his post-match press conference, insisting the midfielder was well within his rights to grab the ball.
‘Ross is the penalty taker’, Lampard said. ‘He has been when he’s started games and when he’s come off the bench.
‘It’s a great story to say there was contention between players, but there wasn’t. He’d been scoring them in pre-season. He just missed. I’ve had penalties and missed them, it comes with the territory.
‘I don’t know what the conversation was but Willian and Jorginho have been penalty-takers. When he’s on the pitch, Ross is the penalty-taker.
Chelsea return to action against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. Jurgen Klopp’s men also fell to defeat against Napoli as their bid to defend their European title got off to the worst possible start.
Manager Frank Lampard insists the midfielder is Chelsea’s designated penalty taker this term