Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea’s young players “need to be professional” after dropping Noni Madueke for being caught on video at a nightclub.
Madueke has not played since arriving back from England Under-21s duty with a minor injury but he was left out of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win against Brighton in mid-week despite being fit.
“It is about choice” was Pochettino’s simple explanation at Stamford Bridge after the match. Now, the Argentine coach has given a bigger explanation of why Madueke wasn’t involved and used the situation to send a broader message to his young group.
He said: “It is clear this video, we were talking about that with him. I think it is a thing that we need to avoid. All the players need to know that when we are a player of Chelsea to try to avoid these things. It wasn’t a big issue but we always need to avoid these types of situations.
“I think it is really clear that he needs to avoid it. But he is recovering from the national team and we will see if he is fit and can be involved and selected.
“But we talk about what you are asking me because it is a thing that the young players need to improve on. Not only him. Many, many players need to be professional and to have respect because of the badge we have here.”
Pochettino is ready to involve Madueke in the trip to Fulham on Monday night. “In my opinion, he is working really hard to get the levels that we want after his injury,” he said.
“He came back from the international break maybe 10 or 12 days ago. Now he feels well and he is recovered. Now he is trying to get fit to be on the same level as the team.”
Chelsea are expected to be without 10 players for the west London derby with eight injured and Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson suspended. Carney Chukwuemeka has returned and could be involved at Craven Cottage.
