Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca started Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho in attack against Liverpool on Sunday.

It was not a surprise, as that is the forward line that Enzo Maresca has gone with this season, and it has rarely let him down.

However, the trio were not at their best, with Jadon Sancho being hooked at half-time. According to former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, Pedro Neto influenced the game more than Sancho after replacing the winger.

As well as substituting Sancho, Maresca also took off Madueke. Looking back now, that was a bit of a mistake.

However, while the 22-year-old was not at the top of his game at Anfield, he still caused Liverpool problems down the right flank.

Madueke constantly got at Andy Robertson and took the ball into the box before trying to pick out one of his teammates.

He was eventually replaced by Christopher Nkunku, who proved to be quite ineffective on the flank. Chelsea lost a lot of their attacking threat when he came off, and that was possibly the point where it was game over for Maresca's side.

MORE CHELSEA STORIES

Before the match, Maresca praised Madueke for his work ethic out of possession.

Noni Madueke now one of Chelsea's most important players It has taken a while, but Madueke is now a key figure for the Blues. The England international did not get too many opportunities when he initially arrived at Stamford Bridge.

In the second half of the 2022/23 season, Madueke made just seven starts in the Premier League. The season after, he made 13.

This term, the former PSV Eindhoven man has already made seven and scored four goals. Inside Chelsea, Madueke is seen as "special", according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, and you could see why against Liverpool.

Even though Madueke was not at his best, he still caused Liverpool's defenders problems.

Related Posts