Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back his critique of Noni Madueke despite the winger scoring in the Blues’ emphatic 5-1 win over Southampton. While the victory kept Chelsea firmly in second place in the Premier League, Maresca pointed out that Madueke’s training efforts had been subpar, leading to his exclusion in the previous game against Aston Villa.
Maresca’s Tough Love
“Noni can do much more,” Maresca said after the game. “The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit. The reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained.”
The Chelsea boss emphasized the importance of consistent effort in training, warning that complacency could cost Madueke his place in the squad. “He has to understand that he has to train every day well. 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.”
Despite the criticism, Maresca acknowledged Madueke’s contributions, which included a goal and an assist, but stressed the need for improvement.
Chelsea’s Depth in Attack
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea’s strength in depth on the wings. “We have four wingers that are all very good,” he said, referring to Pedro Porro and Madueke on the right and Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk on the left. “In the moment one of them drops for whatever reason, there is one in behind that is ready.”
The message was clear: competition for places is fierce, and players must consistently perform to maintain their spot in the starting XI.
Chelsea Fans Rejoice
The manager expressed delight at hearing fans chant, “Chelsea is back,” during the game. “It was a very good feeling, especially because you can see they are happy. It’s our target to keep them happy,” Maresca said, noting the positivity among supporters after challenging seasons in recent years.
With goals from five different players, including Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, and substitute Jadon Sancho, Chelsea’s performance at Southampton showed the depth and balance Maresca has been building. However, his comments about Madueke highlight his relentless pursuit of excellence from every player in the squad.
The win keeps Chelsea in pursuit of league leaders Liverpool as they continue their push for Premier League glory.
