Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has resisted requests to elaborate on Noni Madueke’s omission from his squad against Fulham, calling the move a “technical decision”.
Forward Madueke was dropped for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton on December 22 and left out entirely for the first time in the Premier League this season as his side suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at home to the Cottagers on Thursaday.
“Sometimes we take some decisions and it’s no more than that,” Maresca replied when he was repeatedly pressed on the surprise selection call.
Noni Madueke POV. 🥇#CFC | #SOUCHE 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 “must work more” when he was dropped for the 4-3 win at Tottenham on December 8.
Three of Madueke’s six goals this season came in a 6-2 win at Wolves on August 25, and the England international also provided a goal and assist in a 5-1 win against Southampton on December 4.
His manager had given Madueke 19 minutes in Chelsea’s previous game, when he set up a goal in the 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.
Asked how Madueke had reacted to his previous remarks, Maresca, who preferred to name two goalkeepers on his bench against Fulham, said: “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 from behind and consign Chelsea to a first defeat in 13 matches in all competitions, as well as a first in the league since their 2-1 loss at leaders Liverpool on October 20.
The second-placed Blues are 23 points ahead of second-bottom Ipswich Town, who they visit on Monday (7.45pm GMT) – and Maresca is a fan of six-goal Tractor Boys top-scorer Liam Delap, having worked with the 21-year-old striker during his time as a Manchester City coach.
“We have a bad feeling about losing,” said Maresca. “We know that the reality is not losing one game every two months. It’s about how we react.
“Liam is a fantastic player, for his age. He works hard off the ball and understands the game on the score.
“Because of his age, he can be an important player for England. We spent a year together… England are very lucky because they have many 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 Euro Under-19 in 2022.