Jacque Talbot
Noni Madueke, Chelsea, 2024/25
© IMAGO
Enzo Maresca has taken aim at winger Noni Madueke over his work ethic in training following Chelsea's 5-1 thrashing of Southampton.
The England international netted in the Premier League contest but the Blues'head coach said there are areas of his game that he must look to improve.
Madueeke was left out of the starting XI against Aston Villa last weekend following some inconsistent displays so far this season. Against the Saints, he was back in contention. He scored a neat goal, before providing Christopher Nkunku with an assist.
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But Maresca said in his press conference after the match that he needs more from Madueke. The Italian said: "Noni can do much more. He can do much more. The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit and the reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained.
"He has to understand that he has to train every day good. He has to be ambitious. He scored one tonight, he has to go for the second one and the third one. He has to give more assists.
Enzo Maresca
© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca
He continued: "But overall, he is doing great, he is doing fantastic. He is doing even better in terms of numbers. Noni has to understand he has to work more because he can be much, much, much better."
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Maresca on subs
Madueke, Joao Felix, Cole Palmer, and Nkunku were Chelsea's attacking four, with the likes of Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho on the bench.
Maresca said "There are players in behind that are ready. We have four wingers that are all very good. Pedro and Noni for the right side, Jadon and Misha [Mykhailo Mudryk] for the left side and in the moment one of them drops for whatever reason, there is one in behind that is ready.
"Noni is not allowed to drop because Pedro is there and doing fantastic. If Pedro drops then Noni is there. This is what they have to understand if we want to be there or be close for something important."
Chelsea continue their winning streak and remain in second place, seven points behind leaders Liverpool. The London club will next travel to Tottenham for Sunday's match.
Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea, Southampton, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto