I fell in love with Josh Achairpon
Noni Maduke may have been a Matchwinner, but following tonight’s 3-0 victory at Legia Warsaw, it was Joshu Akiapon who received the “love” of Boss Enzo Maresca.
Madueke scored twice after Tyrike George netted the opener as the Premier League side passed legia in the first leg of the conference league quarterfinals.
England winger Madueke was only featured in a break that replaces Cole Palmer, but his two goals mean that Chelsea have a foot in the final four.
🤝#CFC | #uecl pic.twitter.com/shb4dpykvs
-Chelsea FC (@ChelseafC) April 10, 2025
The versatile Akiapon impresses Maresca
Acheampong played midfield across defense for Chelsea and Maresca. Maresca is a huge fan at 18 years old.
He states: “I’m going to fall in love with Josh Akhampon tonight because, for me, he’s the great players of this club, the top players, for general football, and good players show that they can play in different positions and he can do good things.
“He was a fullback, a good, a midfielder, a good, a good, a middle defender, so it’s not about me playing that position or that position.
“To be honest, we’re in love with him, but tonight he showed us that he can be a very good player for this club.”
“He wants to learn.”
Maresca was particularly impressed by Akiamapon’s motivation to learn. “He gets better at different positions and the best thing about Josh is he’s open, he wants to learn.
“Good players, they want to play in every position. They want to learn. Josh has been doing it since we started.”
Maresca supports nkunku and transforms his property
Maresca explains that Palmer’s withdrawal at halftime is planned in advance, and supports Christopher Nukank to turn around his poor form.
The French winger missed a penalty against Legia, but Maresca is sure his fate will improve.
“Maybe it’s a lack of confidence at this moment, and the reason is that he’s losing goals and penalties like he did tonight, but the only way to deal with that is to make sure that when you’re certainly working hard, rewards are important,” Maresca said.
“The problem is when you quit your job, and the good thing about Christophe is that he works well every day.”