Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has resisted demands for clarification over Noni Madueke’s omission from his squad against Fulham, calling it a “technical decision”.
Striker Madueke was taken off during Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton on December 22 and was completely ruled out for the first time in the Premier League this season as his side suffered a last-gasp 2-1 home defeat against the Cottagers on Thursday.
“Sometimes we make decisions and it’s nothing more,” Maresca responded when pressed several times during the surprise selection call.
Noni Madueke POV. 🥇#CFC | #STRAIN pic.twitter.com/rQLF87wCUE
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 5, 2024
Noni Madueke “responded very well”
Maresca first publicly told Madueke to improve in August and said the 22-year-old “needs to work more” when he was taken off for the 4-3 win at Tottenham on December 8.
Three of Madueke’s six goals this season came in a 6-2 win over Wolves on August 25, and the England international also had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Southampton on December 4.
His manager had given Madueke 19 minutes in Chelsea’s previous game, when he scored a goal in the 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.
Asked about Madueke’s reaction to his previous comments, Maresca, who preferred to name two goalkeepers on his bench against Fulham, replied: “He responded very well… there is no more than that.”
The 23rd player to score a #PL hat-trick for Chelsea: Noni Madueke 🌟💙#CFC | #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/LsfFN9wH4i
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2024
Liam Delap “fantastic”
Fulham scored in the 82nd and 95th minutes to come back and condemn Chelsea to a first defeat in 13 matches in all competitions, as well as a first in the league since losing 2-1 to leaders Liverpool on October 20.
The second-placed Blues are 23 points clear of second-placed Ipswich Town, who they visit on Monday (1945 GMT) – and Maresca is a fan of Tractor Boys’ top scorer with six goals, Liam Delap, after working with the 21- year-old striker while manager of Manchester City.
“We have a bad feeling about losing,” Maresca said. “We know that the reality is not to lose a game every two months. It’s about how we react.
“Liam is a fantastic player, for his age. He works hard on the ball and understands ball play.
“Due to his age he can be an important player for England. We spent a year together… England are very lucky because they have a lot of good strikers.
Ipswich agreed a deal with City in July worth up to £20 million for Delap, who is yet to win an England cap but has played for his country at youth level, winning the Euro under 19 in 2022.
