Noni Madueke’s Chelsea future remains uncertain despite a solid season under new manager Enzo Maresca, but voices around the club are urging caution.
The England winger impressed with 16 goal contributions in 41 matches and showed flashes of brilliance again during his recent international duty with England against Andorra.
Amid speculation of a £50m exit, with Arsenal reportedly among the interested clubs, Chelsea’s hierarchy appears willing to entertain offers, especially with Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens nearing a move to Stamford Bridge. However, former Blues defender Glen Johnson believes that parting with Madueke now would be a critical mistake.
Johnson compared Madueke’s playing style to that of Mohammed Kudus, praising his pace and technical ability. He stressed that if the winger can be mentally focused and coached to exploit his strengths consistently, he has the raw potential to become a world-class talent. Johnson warned, “He’s got explosive speed, he beats players too easily. If you can get into his head, he could be unstoppable.”
Despite the swirling rumours, Maresca has remained firm in his stance. The Chelsea boss recently reassured the media that Madueke is in his plans for next season, stating, “Noni is our player. There’s a lot of speculation, but we consider him part of the squad.”
Elsewhere at Chelsea, attention has turned to the forward line, where Liam Delap recently made a mark with his first goal for the club. Delap’s arrival adds competition for Nicolas Jackson, whose performances have been inconsistent.
Glen Johnson warned that Jackson must improve or risk being sidelined, saying, “He started well last season, but his form dips. With new competition, we’ll see the best of him — or not see him at all.”
As the Club World Cup wraps up and Chelsea look to solidify their squad, the decision on Madueke’s future could prove pivotal. Letting him go now, with his potential just beginning to shine, might turn into a regretful chapter in Chelsea’s transfer history.