Enzo Maresca explains Noni Madueke absence with eight-word response as Chelsea star misses last-gasp defeat by Fulham in west London derby

Noni Madueke was axed by Enzo Maresca for Chelsea’s first Premier League defeat since October, with the Blues boss making an example of the 22-year-old English international.

Madueke was not injured as the winger missed out on making the squad here, and Maresca instead named a bench that included two goalkeepers and a pair of academy graduates.

He only used a single substitute, replacing Nicolas Jackson with Christopher Nkunku, as Fulham went on to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years.

Maresca has not yet explained exactly why he dropped Madueke, but he has previously criticised the Englishman for not training properly in between matches.

After axing him from the team for their Premier League win over Aston Villa earlier this month, Maresca told us: ‘He can do much more. The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop. 

‘The reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained.’

The Italian boss revealed that he was not best impressed by Madueke’s training performances

Maresca also took aim after a Conference League clash with Servette at the start of the season, saying at the time: ‘I really like Noni. The only problem with him probably is that he has to understand he needs to be consistent during the week.’

Maresca also suggested this derby defeat by Fulham was proof of why Chelsea are not in this season’s title race with Liverpool and Arsenal. 

The Blues clumsily conceded twice in the 82nd and 95th minutes as Fulham came from behind to win.

‘It’s more the feeling we have inside and the reality we have inside that we can do better,’ Maresca said. ‘One of the things is game management.’