BREAKING NEWS: “Enzo, drop him and Madueke, they are just too wasteful” – This is according to John Mikel Obi as declared that Beside Madueke, Enzo Maresca must consider dropping another struggling Chelsea player who recently posted a disappointing 3/10 performance and achieved only a 50% pass accuracy. This inconsistency hinders Chelsea’s gameplay and raises questions about lineup changes needed for future matches.

Chelsea’s Comeback After Liverpool Defeat: A Narrow Win Over Newcastle and Key Decisions Ahead

Following their first loss since August in a tough match against Liverpool, Chelsea rebounded with a determined 2-1 victory over Newcastle United. The match was challenging, with Newcastle putting up strong resistance, but standout performances from players like Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto helped Chelsea secure the win. This victory placed Chelsea in fourth position, just one point behind title-contenders Arsenal.

While many Chelsea players performed well enough to retain their starting roles, some, including Noni Madueke, raised questions with their performances.

Analyzing Noni Madueke’s Performance and Possible Tactical Changes

Noni Madueke has shown promise this season, scoring five goals in ten appearances and establishing himself as a regular starter under Maresca. However, his form dipped against Newcastle, affecting Chelsea’s offensive and defensive balance. In his 67 minutes, Madueke registered only a 0.08 expected goals (xG) and a 0.18 expected assists (xA), struggling to make an impact. His stats highlighted the challenge: he completed just one of two dribbles, one of three crosses, and won only two out of eight duels, losing possession ten times and leaving right-back Malo Gusto vulnerable. Sports journalist Lloyd Canfield rated him 5/10, noting Pedro Neto’s stronger performance.

While Madueke remains a valuable asset, this recent display suggests he might benefit from a substitute role in the next game, bringing his energy later in the match.

Evaluating Robert Sanchez’s Inconsistent Performance and Calls for a Change

In goal, Robert Sanchez has shown improvement this season but struggled against Newcastle. Although he avoided costly mistakes, his discomfort with ball control was evident. His passing accuracy was only 50%, and he misplaced 19 out of 24 long balls, creating risky situations for his teammates. Canfield rated him 3/10, calling him a “liability,” while Bobby Vincent of football.london described his performance as “poor.”

This performance has led to suggestions that Maresca should consider giving Filip Jørgensen his Premier League debut in the next match against Manchester United. Jørgensen’s steadiness and skill with the ball could provide Chelsea with a stronger foundation against tough opposition.

Chelsea’s victory over Newcastle has steadied their momentum, but addressing players like Madueke and Sanchez may be essential for their continued success. With Maresca’s tactical insight, fans are hopeful he will make necessary adjustments to maintain the squad’s upward trajectory.