Enzo Maresca has shed light on why Noni Madueke was absent during Chelsea’s dominant 5-0 victory against Morecambe in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Chelsea cruised into the fourth round with standout performances from Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, who each bagged a brace, while Christopher Nkunku also found the net after missing a first-half penalty.
The match saw Maresca make significant rotations, offering rare starts to Reece James, Renato Veiga, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu.
However, the absence of England winger Noni Madueke, who wasn’t even listed on the bench, sparked curiosity. Madueke has been enjoying a solid season with six goals and four assists in 22 appearances. Leading up to the Morecambe clash, there were no reports of injuries, fueling speculation about his exclusion.
Earlier this season, Madueke was left out of the squad against Fulham for what Maresca described as a “technical decision,” raising rumors of a potential rift.
However, the Chelsea manager dismissed such claims, explaining that the 22-year-old missed the game due to illness. It
“Yesterday, he didn’t finish the session because he was unwell,” Maresca revealed in his post-match press conference.
It remains uncertain if Madueke will recover in time for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Blues are grappling with other fitness issues, with Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall out injured, and Mykhailo Mudryk suspended.
Despite the absences, Chelsea’s performance against Morecambe was solid. Centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo particularly impressed, showcasing his ability to carry the ball effectively.
“He was the only one with space to operate,” Maresca said of Tosin. “We’re happy with him. It’s rare to see a central defender strike so well from the edge of the box.”
