Chelsea's Noni Madueke faces the fallout after being dropped in crucial derby loss

On December 26, 2024, during a Boxing Day derby, Chelsea Football Club faced Fulham in a rare home defeat at Stamford Bridge, losing 2-1. England winger Noni Madueke was notably absent from the Blues' squad for this match, as manager Enzo Maresca made the decision to drop him following concerns over his training performance. Madueke had previously been left out against Aston Villa earlier in the month, similarly for failing to impress the coaching staff. Chelsea suffered their first defeat since October, ending a long unbeaten streak. Maresca later emphasized that his decision was purely technical, with the rationale focused on increasing overall competition within the squad, which also saw Renato Veiga dropped from the squad alongside Madueke. Following this match, Maresca expressed the need for Chelsea to recover quickly given the demanding December schedule, with several fixtures planned in a short timeframe. He indicated that adjustments to the starting eleven would be necessary for their upcoming game against Ipswich. While Madueke was dropped, Maresca remained hopeful about his potential return to the lineup, recalling Madueke's positive response after previously being benched when he scored shortly after his return to play. The pressure to maintain a competitive squad is evident as Chelsea looks to bounce back from their defeat, weighing further changes in their tactics and player selections.