Noni Madueke could leave Chelsea before the transfer window closes on August 30, says manager Enzo Maresca even though he “really likes” the 22-year-old.
Striker Madueke scored the Blues’ second goal in their 2-0 home win over Servette on Thursday, helping his side gain recognition ahead of the second leg of the Uefa Europa Conference League qualifiers.
“He is a good player and he is doing well with us,” said Maresca, adding that he “really” wanted to keep Madueke in his team.
“The truth is that until the window for trading players is closed, anything can happen. But for sure, Noni is the type of player I like. I love Noni very much.
“The only problem with him, maybe, is that he has to understand that he has to be consistent during the week in all the training sessions. The only thing he needs to improve is consistency every day. After that you will get minutes, of course. “
🤝 @NoniMadueke_ giving us that two goal cushion. 😁#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/dfqG1oJaUi
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024
The math is wrong
Madueke joined Chelsea for £29 million from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and has scored 10 goals in 47 appearances, three of which came in less than a month between April and May last season.
The former England Under-21 international’s goal gave Chelsea a consolation after needing a Christopher Nkunku penalty in the 48th minute to win against the Swiss side.
Chelsea full-back Marc Guiu should have doubled their advantage four minutes later, firing the ball into an open goal from goalkeeper Jeremy Frick.
The 18-year-old had three attempts to score in a row but was unable to capitalize on the correct position and received words of advice from Maresca when he was sent off.
A great team goal. 🔥@NoniMadueke_ ✨#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/sMKyRQDzrX
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024
Chelsea vs Servette: Maresca on Guiu
“I said [Guiu] that he doesn’t like an easy goal,” said the Italian player, who oversaw his first victory following a 2-0 defeat against visitors Manchester City, who will begin their reign last Sunday.
“He loves a difficult goal. Common: very young, the youngest of the group. But the way he works, outside of football he runs a lot. He will score, for sure.”
Maresca has suggested that striker Mykhailo Mudryk has been at fault since joining Chelsea in an £88.5m deal in January 2023 due to poor decision-making rather than “qualitative or technical errors”.
“We will try to help him change,” he said. “He must understand that we will bring him the ball in the last third.
“If he is there, then there is talk of making the right decision. Sometimes he has to play and try to do something different and we lose the ball. Sometimes he has to go alone. I hope we can help him.”
Cole Palmer’s injury
Chelsea’s top goalscorer last season, Cole Palmer, was brought on as a substitute but later appeared to be struggling with an injury, which could put his return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s trip to Wolves (2pm) in doubt.
“He heard something but it seems okay,” said Maresca. “They have checked him and he looks good, he looks good. I hope there is no problem and he can be found on Sunday.”
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