Enzo Maresca gives the reason why Renato Veiga was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Fulham as Noni Madueke claim made

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Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge of Chelsea is generally going superbly well, but there was another small bump in the road with the Boxing Day defeat to Fulham.

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at home to local rivals Fulham yesterday in the Premier League. As a result, they stay second in the division table, but they’re now seven points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool.

On top of the disappointment on the pitch, Enzo Maresca made the headlines for his decision regarding Noni Madueke.

Maresca left Chelsea’s Madueke out of the Fulham squad because of “technical reasons”. The 22-year-old winger was fit and available, but he wasn’t picked in the matchday squad by the Chelsea manager.

• READ MORE: The three biggest losers from Chelsea’s shock defeat to Fulham have already become clear

Enzo Maresca confirms he also left Renato Veiga out vs Fulham

Interestingly, Maresca has further added that Chelsea’s Renato Veiga wasn’t in the squad against Fulham for the same reason as Veiga. The 21-year-old defender wasn’t in the matchday group, which did leave the bench looking pretty youthful and inexperienced.

Maresca said via Football.London: “For sure, the competition has to be high but not only Noni Madueke was out, Renato Veiga was also not in the squad, and the reason is exactly the same for both of them. There is not any different reason.”

There’s certainly some mystery around the exclusion of Madueke and Veiga on Boxing Day, but Maresca is refusing to explain the finer details.

Joao Felix previously called Veiga Chelsea’s hardest worker, so it would be a surprise if it came as a result of poor performances in training. The £12m left-back (BBC) appears to be in the same boat as teammate Madueke.

Will Noni Madueke be in contention against Ipswich?

Next, Chelsea travel to Ipswich Town on Monday night in the league for their final game of 2024.

The good news for Madueke is that it sounds like he’s got the chance of being involved, but predicting the current manager is becoming tougher and tougher.

When asked if Madueke is in contention against Ipswich, Maresca claimed via Football.London: “Yeah, for sure, for sure.”

From a football perspective, Chelsea did miss Madueke against Fulham. It certainly felt like a match where his impact off the bench with fresh energy could’ve really helped. If things are sorted behind the scenes, Madueke must be involved in some capacity away to Ipswich.