Enzo Maresca should be really happy with where Chelsea are at the moment.
Going into their game against Tottenham Hotspur later, Chelsea currently find themselves second in the Premier League table.
Right now, Enzo Maresca is getting plenty from his attack, with the Blues being the joint-highest scorers in the division.
Even so, the 44-year-old still wants more, demanding just that from Noni Madueke after Chelsea’s 5-1 win against Southampton on Wednesday. Despite the form that he is in, Maresca claimed that he was not completely happy with Madueke.
Noni Madueke of Chelsea attacks with support from Cole Palmer and Joao Felix during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC ...
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Janusz Michallik on Noni Madueke
While former USA international Janusz Michallik has been impressed with Madueke’s performances this season, like Maresca, he also wants to see more from the winger.
Speaking on ESPN, Michallik said: “Madueke, look at what Enzo’s doing with him. He wants more and more and more. I’m not surprised because he’s got all the tools. I agree with Enzo that he’s a bit lazy and he wants this consistency, this 95 minute commitment every game, not just in the game but in training as well because he probably sees it.
“We don’t see what’s happening in training, but you can only imagine if he’s capable of doing that… imagine if he was doing that in training day in and day out as well.”
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After his display at St Mary’s, Madueke is likely to get the nod at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later. However, the 22-year-old cannot get complacent.
He has the likes of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho potentially waiting in the wings to take his spot.
Sancho recently scored his first goal for Chelsea and while his preferred position is on the left where he can cut in from, the England international can also play on the right.
Noni Madueke’s strengths
Michallik is certainly right to suggest that Madueke has the tools to succeed under Maresca.
The former PSV Eindhoven star, who cost Chelsea £29m, has all of the traits you want in a winger. For example, he is a terrific dribbler.
As per FBref, Madueke has ranked in the 97th percentile for progressive carries and the 85th for successful take-ons among attacking midfielders and wingers over the last year.
Noni Madueke Per 90 minutes
Progressive carries 6.49
Successful take-ons 2.66
The England international is, of course, also starting to add goals to his game, netting five times in 13 Premier League appearances this season. It means that he has already equalled his tally from the previous campaign.
From Maresca’s point of view, now it is just about Madueke showing more consistency.
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