Mario Melchiot calls out ‘quiet’ Chelsea attacker following West Ham win, Enzo Maresca seemed to agree

Add as preferred source on Google

Mario Melchiot has been left feeling a little bit disappointed with one Chelsea star after the Blues’ 2-1 win against West Ham United on Monday.

Chelsea were not at their best but were able to earn a victory that has taken them back into the top four.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	23	17	5	1	56	21	35	56
2	ArsenalArsenal	24	14	8	2	49	22	27	50
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	24	14	5	5	40	27	13	47
4	ChelseaChelsea	24	12	7	5	47	31	16	43
5	Man CityManchester City	24	12	5	7	48	35	13	41
6	NewcastleNewcastle	24	12	5	7	42	29	13	41

Pedro Neto came on from off the bench and managed to shine, scoring the Blues’ equaliser before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s own goal won them the game.

While Neto managed to make an impact on the match, one of his teammates could not produce too much in the final third. Whatever the case, for Neto, it was a big win.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca explains what’s surprised him about Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho this season

Mario Melchiot claims Jadon Sancho has been ‘too quiet’

Jadon Sancho has brought a lot of excitement to this Chelsea team with his skilful dribbling.

However, the winger has only scored two goals in the Premier League this season, and Melchiot thinks he has not done enough of late.

Speaking about Sancho on ESPN FC after Chelsea’s win against West Ham, the former Blues defender said: “I think the last couple of games, he’s gone a little bit too quiet. The [Manchester] City game quiet, you know, it’s too quiet for me, especially as a winger and the talent. He has the pace and the skill to make it really hard for a defender and at the moment, I can see he has comfortability the way he handles the ball.

“But I don’t want to see him handle the ball, I want him to go beyond players. I want him to make the defenders… give them a hard time. And at the moment, he’s not doing that and that’s why I feel like, ‘What’s going on with him?'”

Enzo Maresca is likely to agree with Melchiot’s assessment after taking Sancho off in the 52nd minute.

Jadon Sancho’s numbers vs West Ham

It is true. Sancho certainly did have one of his quieter games before being withdrawn for Neto.

For example, the 24-year-old only made 10 passes during his time on the pitch, while he also failed to register a single key pass or complete a cross.

It is not a shock that Maresca decided to take him off, with the Chelsea boss almost certain to demand more from him in the next game.

Before Chelsea’s 3-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, Maresca warned Sancho and Neto that they needed to start scoring more goals.

Neto was able to respond to his manager on Monday, but Sancho is yet to find the back of the net since Maresca sent out his message. Hopefully that can change when Chelsea take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday.