'Straight down the tunnel': Chelsea player left furious with Enzo Maresca decision in 1-1 draw against Arsenal
11/10/2024 03:05 PM
Chelsea fought back from 1-0 down to record a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal.
A goal from Pedro Neto cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener and ensured the Blues moved up to third in the Premier League – a fine position to be in heading into the international break.
It can be considered a decent result against a tough Arsenal side, with the Chelsea squad presumably happy to have snatched a point.
However – by the looks of it – Noni Madueke will not be heading home too pleased after what Enzo Maresca did.
Noni Madueke storms straight down the tunnel after Enzo Maresca replaced him with Mykhailo Mudryk
In the 68th minute, Maresca opted to make a change, bringing Mykhailo Mudryk on for the England international.
It was an understandable tactical decision given how little Madueke had impacted the game, completing just 12 passes and losing possession on six occasions – as SofaScore shows.
However, the Chelsea No.11 clearly felt he deserved to stay on the pitch, with Sky Sports cameras showing the winger looking very unhappy when he saw his number go up on the board.
Not only that, but Madueke – who Stephen Warnock called “breathtaking” recently – then failed to even stay on the bench and watch his teammates for the final 22 minutes as he headed straight down the tunnel.
To make matters worse for the 22-year-old, Maresca was proven right with his change almost immediately, as the decision to put Mudryk on the left and move Neto out on the right led to an equaliser, just two minutes after the substitution.
Chelsea fans should feel disappointed
Who does Madueke think he is? Lionel Messi?
The man from Barnet has enjoyed a decent season so far with five goals in 13 appearances across all competitions, but he is not an untouchable by any means like Cole Palmer has earned the right to be.
Madueke, who Newcastle wanted to sign, was by no means awful against Arsenal, but with 22 minutes remaining and trailing 1-0 to Arsenal, Maresca had every right to make the switch.
Hopefully, the leaders within Chelsea’s squad call the Londoner out on his behaviour, as it is hardly conducive to a positive atmosphere developing at Stamford Bridge.
