Ruthless Enzo Maresca axes ANOTHER Chelsea star after Noni Madueke decision

Enzo Maresca has showed his ruthless side again after revealing he axed ANOTHER Chelsea star.

Chelsea boss Maresca dropped Portugal international Renato Veiga from the Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. That comes on top of England winger Noni Madueke also being axed from the Chelsea squad which is not the first time he has been dumped this season.

Maresca described both decisions as being “technical” which only really explains that neither were injured but both did something the no-nonsense manager did not like. Veiga, 21, a £12m summer signing, has been a regular in the squad this season, has made seven appearances and his absence from the bench meant Chelsea had to fill it with more kids.

However, Maresca insisted that he expects a string reaction from both of them and they will be back in contention for Monday’s clash with Ipswich as he will hold no grudges.

Maresca said: “For sure, the competition has to be higher but not only for Noni Madueke but also Renato Veiga was not in the squad and the reason is exactly the same for both of them. There is not any different reason, it’s just a technical decision.”

It is not the first time that Madueke has been named and shamed by Maresca this season as he appears to be using tough love against the Chelsea star. Maresca warned Madueke back in August about his levels of “consistency” in training.

Earlier this month, Maresca dropped Madueke for the win over Aston Villa for letting his standards slip in one training session. The Chelsea winger responded by scoring in his next game - the 5-1 win at Southampton - and he says he wants the same response from both players for the Ipswich game.

“Sometimes we just take a decision and it’s no more than that,” said Maresca who confirmed they could be back for Ipswich. “Yeah, for sure.” Maresca revealed that Keenan Dewsbury-Hall was injured and that was the reason behind his absence against Fulham.

But says the other pair must repeat what Madueke’s response from earlier in the month. Maresca added: “He was very good, fantastic and he responded very good at that time so there is no more than that. I expect the same this time, yeah absolutely.”

Meanwhile, England star Cole Palmer says that the Fulham defeat shows they still have a long way to go before being title contenders but they must respond against Ipswich. Palmer added: “‘It’s a good opportunity to learn, rest, recover, and play in three days.

“We just keep going now. We knew we weren’t going to win every single game we play. It’s the manager’s first season with us and we’re learning. Everyone has said from the start we’re not a title contender, we’re just playing, winning, getting better as a team, growing, and that’s what we’re doing.”

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