Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly addressed his recent criticism of winger Noni Madueke, despite the player’s positive contributions on the field, including his goal and assist against Southampton. Maresca emphasized that his comments were aimed at pushing Madueke to reach his full potential and to foster a sense of urgency in his game.
Although Madueke has been in good form, scoring five goals and providing two assists in the Premier League this season, Maresca believes that the young English winger’s work ethic in training needs to match his matchday performances. According to the Italian coach, Madueke occasionally takes his foot off the gas, which he views as detrimental to both his development and the team’s overall success.
Maresca has made it clear that his tough-love approach is to get the best out of Madueke, insisting that players like him must be continually challenged. In his pre-match comments ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Tottenham, Maresca praised Madueke’s attacking numbers but underlined the need for consistency in every aspect of his game.
“The numbers are fantastic, goals and assists are great, but off the ball is where he needs to maintain his level,” Maresca said. “If he takes a step back, it’s my job to make sure he stays on track. It’s all about pushing him to be better.”
He likened his method to past comments about other players, including Reece James, noting that his criticism comes from a place of wanting to help them improve, not to tear them down. “It’s not about being a friend; it’s about being close enough to guide them,” Maresca explained.
With Chelsea sitting in second place ahead of their London derby against Spurs, Maresca remains focused on improving his squad, particularly defensively. He has acknowledged the challenges posed by top teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City but insists that Chelsea’s focus is entirely on the present.
“We’re not thinking about the title yet,” Maresca affirmed. “We have to focus on the next match and keep improving. There’s still a lot to work on.”
