Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca has resisted requests to elaborate on Noni Madueke’s omission from his squad in opposition to Fulham, calling the transfer a “technical choice”.
Ahead Madueke was dropped for Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Everton on December 22 and neglected completely for the primary time within the Premier League this season as his aspect suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at residence to the Cottagers on Thursaday.
“Generally we take some choices and it’s not more than that,” Maresca replied when he was repeatedly pressed on the shock choice name.
Noni Madueke POV. 🥇#CFC | #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/rQLF87wCUE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 5, 2024
Noni Madueke ‘responded very properly’
Maresca first publicly instructed Madueke to enhance in August and stated the 22-year-old “should work extra” when he was dropped for the 4-3 win at Tottenham on December 8.
Three of Madueke’s six targets this season got here in a 6-2 win at Wolves on August 25, and the England worldwide additionally supplied a purpose and help in a 5-1 win in opposition to Southampton on December 4.
His supervisor had given Madueke 19 minutes in Chelsea’s earlier sport, when he arrange a purpose within the 3-0 residence win over Aston Villa.
Requested how Madueke had reacted to his earlier remarks, Maresca, who most well-liked to call two goalkeepers on his bench in opposition to Fulham, stated: “He responded very properly… there isn’t any greater than that.”
The twenty third participant to attain a #PL hat-trick for Chelsea: Noni Madueke 🌟💙#CFC | #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/LsfFN9wH4i
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2024
Liam Delap ‘improbable’
Fulham scored within the 82nd and ninety fifth minutes to come back from behind and consign Chelsea to a primary defeat in 13 matches in all competitions, in addition to a primary within the league since their 2-1 loss at leaders Liverpool on October 20.
The second-placed Blues are 23 factors forward of second-bottom Ipswich City, who they go to on Monday (7.45pm GMT) – and Maresca is a fan of six-goal Tractor Boys top-scorer Liam Delap, having labored with the 21-year-old striker throughout his time as a Manchester Metropolis coach.
“Now we have a foul feeling about shedding,” stated Maresca. “We all know that the fact shouldn’t be shedding one sport each two months. It’s about how we react.
“Liam is a improbable participant, for his age. He works laborious off the ball and understands the sport on the rating.
“Due to his age, he could be an essential participant for England. We spent a 12 months collectively… England are very fortunate as a result of they’ve many good strikers.”
Ipswich agreed a take care of Metropolis in July value as much as £20 million for Delap, who’s but to win an England cap however has performed for his nation at youth degree, profitable Euro Beneath-19 in 2022.