BREAKING NEWS: “He is not” – Noni Madueke responds to being criticised in public by Enzo Maresca
After Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Southampton, Maresca shared candid thoughts about Noni Madueke, explaining why the player had recently been sidelined.
Maresca commented:
“With Noni, I have a personal connection, and I believe he can achieve much more. When he scores or assists, he becomes complacent, and that’s why he wasn’t playing—because I wasn’t satisfied with his training. He needs to understand the importance of consistent effort every day. He has to aim higher: if he scores once, he should strive for more goals and assists. But overall, he’s doing great.”
Madueke responded maturely to this criticism and has demonstrated a positive reaction. Speaking to The Evening Standard, the Chelsea attacker appreciated Maresca’s honest approach:
“He is honest and truthful. He tells the truth and is a man you can trust. That’s all you want from a coach. He isn’t necessarily trying to be best friends with everyone, but he is fair and straightforward, which is crucial at a top club like Chelsea.”
This highlights the difference in coaching styles. Some argue that former manager Mauricio Pochettino’s approach of being overly friendly may not have been effective, as certain players benefit more from tough love and public accountability.
