Enzo Maresca has been unafraid to ask more of Noni Madueke
Enzo Maresca has been unafraid to ask more of Noni Madueke
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed why he publically criticised Noni Madueke and admitted he will do so again to provoke his best form.
The Italian coach criticised the England international's work ethic following his goal against Southampton, suggesting his training ground performance impacted him on the pitch. Madueke has scored five goals and produced two assists in the Premier League this season but faces competition from the likes of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho to start for the Blues.
Maresca has doubled down on his methods of publically calling out Madueke and claimed the winger needs to be pushed to deliver his best. Speaking ahead of the clash against Tottenham on Sunday, the former Leicester City coach applauded Madueke's efforts but with a caveat.
"Overall he's working well since we start," said Maresca. "Sometimes he drops a little bit. He's not allowed to drop. In terms of numbers, he's doing fantastic with goals and assists.
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"Off the ball when we ask him to defend and press he's doing very well. The only reason I said this the other day is because I want the best from Noni and to get the best you have to push him. If he relaxes a little bit, it's wrong.
"I try to be, not a friend, but close to the players. Sometimes between friends, when you say something wrong to your friend he's not happy. He has to know that what you say is because you want to take care of him.
"The same happened with Reece [James] when I spoke about leadership, it's because I wanted the best for Reece and for him to improve. For Noni, this is not different."
Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC
Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC
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Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC)
Going into this weekend's London derby, Chelsea sit in second place and are eight points ahead of Spurs. Maresca still refuses to see his team as part of the title race however.
Liverpool are seven points clear of the Blues, but Maresca believes Arsenal and Manchester C ity could also provide too stiff a challenge. "There's nothing to add, I said I don't think we are there and ready to compete with Arsenal, Liverpool and City," he said.
"We have to do many more things good, not just score goals. Avoid conceding goals.
"Defensively we are doing well but we are just focused on Sunday and then the next one. We are not thinking about April, May or June. It's too early. Things can change quick in football. The focus is Sunday, today's session and tomorrow's session."
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