What next for Noni Madueke at Chelsea? – Talk Chelsea

Once again we are here talking about a ‘problem’ in this Chelsea squad. But fear not, it’s not a bad problem, it’s a good problem.

These are the kind of ‘problems’ that every Premier League manager has, but it’s a ‘problem’ that Mauricio Pochettino has not yet had at Chelsea.

Due to the large amount of injuries we have endured so far this season, Pochettino has never had a fully fit squad to pick from and I actually fear if he ever will. He’s not even had close to a fully fit squad to choose from.

But with players starting to come back in now and form getting better, Pochettino will soon face selection headaches and will be having to make some big decisions.

Cole Palmer is playing well, Raheem Sterling has been on fire, and Mykhailo Mudryk continues to show promise. So where does that leave Noni Madueke?

Noni I think has been a little under-appreciated by some of late, with some forgetting just how impactful he was for us last season in a poor Chelsea side during all that doom and gloom. He was a rare bright spark and showed real potential.

He reminded us all of that potential on Thursday night for the England U21s, scoring two lovely goals, with the first being reminiscent of the kind of a goal a certain Lionel Messi would score in his prime (even still now).

There should be no doubting Madueke’s ability and potential, it’s clear for everyone to see. I’ve always believed he’s needed to get better in the final third with decision making, but it’s natural for a player of his age to have improvements to make.

He has no doubt in his own ability, and his mentality is top.

“I definitely back myself,” Madueke said this weekend. “It’s just a matter of time before things click. I’ve just got to get my head down and work hard, I’ve got the ability and talent to do well, I’m sure.”

But will he get the chance for it to click at Chelsea? I don’t see him starting games anytime soon with the form that Palmer, Sterling, and Mudryk have been in. So will he have to make do with being an impact sub this season? And if so, what will that do to his development? Should he go on loan in January? I don’t think he should, purely because we will actually need him for cover. But it’s a question that isn’t hideous to be asking.

Pochettino has been handing out some tough love to Madueke after his partying recently. But it looks like Madueke has reacted well, got his head down, worked hard and focused on his football.

I like Madueke a lot. I like his personality, his mentality, and I like him as a player and how direct he is. He can be a real weapon for us. But once again, I don’t envy Pochettino for being the one who has to pick this team and make the tough and big calls.

I didn’t even mention Carney Chukwuemeka and eventually, Christopher Nkunku as well. Damn, what a ‘problem’ to have!