Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca praised Noni Madueke as “one of the best players” in his squad despite the winger having started only one of the last four Premier League games. The 22-year-old was a second-half substitute in draws against Everton and Crystal Palace and was left out of the squad entirely for the defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day,

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained Noni Madueke's absence from his matchday squad to face Morecambe in the FA Cup third round. The Blues went into the game

Madueke was left out of Chelsea ’s squad as Maresca’s side hammered the League Two strugglers 5-0 to reach the Fourth Round. Maresca had not reported any fitness issue for Madueke ahead of kick-off and his absence raised eyebrows, coming after he had been dropped for last month’s defeat to Fulham in what his manager called a “technical decision”.