Madueke admits Maresca’s public criticism was ‘not nice’ | OneFootball

Noni Madueke admits Enzo Maresca’s public criticism about his efforts in training was ‘not nice’ but insists the Chelsea manager’s intentions were in the right place.

Madueke was on the scoresheet in the Blues’ 3-1 Premier League win over Wolves, ending a run of five league games without victory.

Back in December, Maresca omitted the 22-year-old from the Blues squad for the fixture against Aston Villa.

The Italian explained: “The reason he was not playing is because I don’t like the way he trained. He has to understand that he has to train every day well, he has to be ambitious.”

Fast forward a month and his 65th-minute header in front of England head coach Thomas Tuchel ensured Chelsea got their season back on track.

“When the manager criticises you, it’s not always nice. but I do know it’s coming from a great place and I’m trying to improve and trying to get better every day. Thankfully, today I had a hand in the second and third goals.

“I’m 22 years old. This is my second full season in the Premier League. There are many aspects that can grow. I work hard every day to do so. I don’t think I’m anywhere near the potential that I have inside me. I’m trying to fulfil that.”

Despite finding the back of the net, Maresca was once again singled out Madueke, suggesting that he ‘stopped playing’ after his goal.

“He scored a goal but after he scored the goal he stopped playing. This has to be something that we need to improve immediately, absolutely. Never [be] happy if you score one, or two, you go for more and I think after he scored the goal he stopped a little bit playing and that is something we need to improve.”

Madueke’s sixth goal of the season was arguably the most straightforward he’ll score all season and perhaps one that teammate Trevoh Chalobah would wish he didn’t make contact with.

“It’s the attacker’s instinct, I said to Trev that an assist on his first game back was great. He was telling me, ‘No way you took my goal.’ I told him, ‘You have to understand, this is what they pay me to do.'”

The win for Chelsea moves them up to fourth in the table and 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Just a month ago the Blues were being spoken about as title challengers, but Madueke insists he and his teammates did not believe the hype.

“It’s not nice not winning in five. We have to take game by game and not feed into the talk that was going on when we were winning. When that [talk about winning the title] started, we went winless in five, so I don’t want to talk about it. We know the goals we’re trying to achieve and we’re on the right path to do so.”