Enzo Maresca calls out his own player after Wolves win and says he must improve

He may have scored in their 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday night but one Chelsea player has been ordered to improve by Enzo Maresca – and he wants it to happen "immediately".

Chelsea ended their five-match winless run in the Premier League as goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke sealed all three points against Vitor Pereira's side.

For a brief spell, it looked like Wolves could get something out of the game after they equalised against the run of play in first-half stoppage time.

But on the hour mark, Chelsea regained the lead through Marc Cucurella, who scored on his 100th league appearance after some fine play from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Noni Madueke.

And just five minutes later, Madueke gave the home side a two-goal advantage after heading home from close range.

Madueke, who played 84 minutes before being replaced by academy product Tyrique George, netted his seventh goal of the campaign against Wolves, who sit just above the relegation zone in 17th.

But after the final whistle, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ordered the England international to improve his work rate.

“He can improve in the last third, but probably after he scored the goal he stopped playing," Maresca said.

"This has to be one thing that we need to improve immediately. Never happy if you score one or two, always you have to go for more. After he scored the goal he stopped playing a little bit and it’s something that we need to improve."

Maresca added: “We just try always to help them to improve. After the goal probably he was a little bit tired, but it’s the moment we need to go for more.”

Madueke scored Chelsea's third against Wolves. Image credit: Getty

This isn't the first time Maresca has challenged Madueke publicly.

Last month, the Italian brought up complacency and work ethic when speaking about the 22-year-old winger as he explained his decision to drop Madueke for their win over Aston Villa.

“Noni can do much more. He can do much more," he said. "The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit and the reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained."

Maresca added: “He has to understand that he has to train every day good. He has to be ambitious. He scored one tonight, he has to go for the second one and the third one. He has to give more assists.

Three weeks later and, after he was dropped for the game against Fulham, Maresca was once again asked why Madueke missed out.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: "Noni Madueke was not even on the bench due to technical decision. No injury. Selection."

Maresca has been vocal about Madueke's work rate since taking over at Stamford Bridge. Image credit: Getty

After calling out flaws in his game, Madueke has previously welcomed criticism from his manager.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website in September, he said: “I feel like it’s only a positive. He wants to push me and wants to make sure I get the best out of myself in every single training session."

Madueke added: "Top players train to their fullest every single day, so that’s for sure what I strive to be as well.”