Enzo Maresca gives unflinching response on Noni Madueke amid Arsenal transfer links

Enzo Maresca insists he has no fears about playing Noni Madueke despite doubts over the winger’s Chelsea future.

England star Madueke is a potential target for Arsenal who have him on their transfer shortlist and could take advantage of Chelsea’s need to balance the books after another summer spending spree. But Maresca brought Madueke on against Palmeiras which helped change the game in their favour and insists the winger is in his thoughts ahead of their Club World Cup semi final with Fluminense.

Chelsea boss Maresca said: “We had the same noise before Palmeiras, but we gave him half an hour, and he was very good. I have no doubt if we need Noni, he can help us. It's not easy to deal with the noise, but hopefully he can.”

But Chelsea - already without suspended pair Liam Delap and Levi Colwill - have been dealt a blow that Romeo Lavia is still out injured. Maresca added: "Romeo is training already, but not with the group. He won't be ready for Fluminense.”

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Meanwhile, Chelsea legend Thiago Silva revealed he will be Fluminense’s spy in the camp ahead of the Club World Cup semi-final. Silva is now 40 and still going strong as he prepares to face his former club in the MetLife Stadium but still keeps in regular contact with Chelsea.

Brazil legend Silva, who had four glorious years at Chelsea, paid a recent visit to the training ground and joked that he can provide some inside knowledge on Maresca’s tactics. Silva said: “I’m trying to help the coaching staff with small details, things that will stay between us. I was saying earlier that I was in London not too long ago visiting my kids, went to some training sessions, you know.

“I don’t know Maresca that well, but I know a lot of the players there, and I talk to them pretty much every week, some of them are really close to me. I’m happy to have this matchup, and it’s going to be a special day for me, but it will be even more special if we manage to go through.”

Silva won the Champions League during his time at Chelsea and the fans still sing his name. “He came from PSG to win the Champions League.” Now, incredibly, he could help Fluminense knock out Chelsea and then potentially face PSG in the final.

He added: “It means a lot. Thank God, I was able to build a beautiful story with both of these clubs, Chelsea and PSG. And now, at what you could call the final stage of my career, I’m still living important moments and trying to help in the best way I can.

“It would be special to eliminate Chelsea, even with all the love I have for them, but when you’re on the pitch, you have to focus on your own team. I’m just really grateful for everything I went through there. It was a very special team in my life, where I won one of the biggest titles of my career, and facing them now definitely won’t be easy.

“After the tournament, my support for Chelsea and PSG will always be there. I’m forever grateful to those clubs, I did everything I could while I was there, and I’ll keep doing the same for Fluminense. Hopefully, we can get this qualification.”

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