Enzo Maresca has hit out at Jadon Sancho and a number of his other Chelsea attackers over their defensive contributions, urging them to be more like Noni Madueke.
Madueke has been a steady fixture in Maresca's side this term, scoring five goals in eight games in all competitions.
Maresca, however, has been as impressed with the England international's defensive work as he has his attacking prowess.
"You see how Noni in this moment is pressing. He’s pressing forward, he’s running back and he’s doing very good with us and not only because he’s scoring goals," Maresca said, speaking with the media ahead of Chelsea's trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
After praising Madueke, the Italian then criticised all of Sancho, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhailo Mudryk for not doing the same.
"It’s something we need from all the rest, players like Joao, Christo, Misha, Jadon, these kind of players," he said. "Today for a forward it is not enough to be good on the ball. You have to be good on the ball and off the ball."
One player Maresca particularly admirers for his ability to contribute in both attack and in defence is Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
Salah, who formerly played for Chelsea, is the Reds' top scorer this season with six goals, but has also made 19 blocks, recovered 84 loose balls, and made 17 tackles.
"I really like Salah not only because he’s good on the ball, but because he’s a fantastic player also off the ball," Maresca said.
"They use Salah in all the moments, going from the keeper to Salah, from [Virgil] Van Dijk to Salah, from [Alexis] Mac Allister to Salah, so probably he’s the main player for them," he added.
Mohamed Salah versus Cole Palmer
Chelsea know all too well just how good Salah is.
In 22 games against the Blues, Salah has contributed to 10 goals – seven of his own and three assists.
Fortunately, Chelsea also have their own special attacking weapon in Cole Palmer, who has been a revelation since moving to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City last summer, scoring 33 goals and providing 20 assists in just 56 games.
Over the past year, Palmer and Salah boast almost identical figures.
Last season, both were their respective teams’ top scorers with 25 goals apiece, while this term, both players have six goals each in all competitions.
Asked about those similarities, Maresca conceded that Palmer, despite his impressive form, still has a lot to do if he one day wants to be compared to the Egyptian.
"The only thing I can say is that you cannot just judge one year or two years," said Maresca. "In Salah’s case you have to judge him over the last seven or eight years with Liverpool."
"For me he has been one of the best Liverpool players in the last five, six, seven years," he added. "Cole is doing that for us last year and now, and hopefully it can continue for the next five or 10 years with us.’
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