Following Chelsea’s recent performances, former player John Mikel Obi has suggested that head coach Enzo Maresca consider dropping both Enzo Maresca and Noni Madueke, as they have been inconsistent and, in his view, “wasteful.”
Mikel specifically pointed out that Madueke, alongside another unnamed Chelsea player, has not met the necessary standards.
This recommendation comes after Chelsea’s recent defeat to Liverpool, in which some players’ performance levels raised concerns about their ability to help the team achieve its ambitions in the Premier League.
Mikel highlighted Madueke’s performance in particular, calling it problematic due to his recent 3/10 rating and an unimpressive pass accuracy of just 50%.
Such inconsistency in midfield affects Chelsea’s fluidity and overall effectiveness on the field, and Mikel believes Maresca should make lineup adjustments to maintain a competitive edge.
Chelsea managed to bounce back from their loss to Liverpool with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle, in which players like Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto put in strong performances.
The win was crucial, placing Chelsea fourth in the league standings, only one point behind Arsenal.
However, despite the win, Madueke’s lackluster display against Newcastle raised further questions, as he struggled to connect effectively with his teammates and impacted Chelsea’s defensive stability.
While Madueke has shown promise this season, scoring five goals in ten appearances, his performance against Newcastle fell short of expectations.
He registered low expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) during the match, signaling a limited impact in the final third.
Additionally, his passing and positioning were below par; he succeeded in only one out of two dribble attempts and one of three crosses, and he lost possession ten times, putting Chelsea’s defense under pressure.
As a result, some analysts believe Madueke might benefit from a rotational role, where he could come off the bench to add energy and creativity later in games.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s performance has also drawn scrutiny.
Though he has shown improvement this season, his recent display against Newcastle suggested vulnerability, especially with the ball at his feet.
Despite avoiding any major errors, Sanchez’s passing accuracy was notably low at 50%, and his discomfort with distribution put Chelsea’s backline in challenging situations.
Sports analysts rated his performance poorly, calling him a “liability” and suggesting that his ongoing inconsistency might warrant a change in Chelsea’s goalkeeping lineup.
Filip Jørgensen, the backup keeper, is being considered as an alternative who could offer stability, particularly with his composure and ball-handling skills.
As Chelsea pushes forward in the Premier League, Maresca faces key decisions about player roles to keep momentum in the title race.
While their win over Newcastle provided a temporary boost, addressing underperforming players such as Madueke and Sanchez could be essential for the team’s consistency.
Chelsea fans remain hopeful that Maresca will make necessary adjustments, building on the recent win while optimizing each player’s contribution.
