Enzo Maresca confirms he dropped Chelsea player from his squad for Fulham game and mentions 'technical decision'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave a brief insight into why he dropped one of his players for Thursday's clash against Fulham – and it raises more questions than answers.

The Blues have been in superb form of late but their promising title bid took a hit on Thursday as they suffered a surprise home defeat to Fulham.

After taking an early lead through Cole Palmer, Chelsea were stunned by the Cottagers as two late goals from substitutes Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz sealed an unexpected comeback.

Maresca's decision to use one substitution during the game [Nkunku for Jackson] was questioned, while the absence of winger Noni Madueke from his matchday squad raised further eyebrows.

Earlier this month, Maresca brought up complacency and work ethic when speaking about Madueke as he explained his decision to drop the England international for their win over Aston Villa on December 1.

“Noni can do much more. He can do much more," he said three days later, after Chelsea's 5-1 win over Southampton. "The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit and the reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained."

Maresca added: “He has to understand that he has to train every day good. He has to be ambitious. He scored one tonight, he has to go for the second one and the third one. He has to give more assists.

Three weeks on and, after he was dropped for the game against Fulham, Maresca was once again asked about Madueke and why he missed out.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Italian said as per Fabrizio Romano: "Noni Madueke was not even on the bench due to technical decision. No injury. Selection."

Maresca has previously called out flaws in Madueke’s game, although the winger welcomed that criticism.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website in September, he said: “I feel like it’s only a positive. He wants to push me and wants to make sure I get the best out of myself in every single training session."

Madueke added: "Top players train to their fullest every single day, so that’s for sure what I strive to be as well.”

Noni Madueke in Chelsea training. Image credit: Getty

Madueke joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for around £30 million. He has since made 51 appearances in the league, scoring 11 times.