Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has described the negative perceptions surrounding the club as ‘exaggerated’ and praised his experience under manager Enzo Maresca thus far.
This summer, the Blues dominated the headlines with significant transfer activity, including the departures of several prominent players.
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Notable exits include Romelu Lukaku, who joined Napoli, and Raheem Sterling, who was loaned to Arsenal after being excluded from the squad and subsequent discussions about his future. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell continues to train away from the first team.
Despite the turmoil, Madueke asserts that the situation is not as chaotic as it might seem.
In an interview with talkSPORT, the winger, who received his first senior England call-up for this month’s international matches, stated: “The outside perception can be a bit exaggerated. It’s actually a great environment to be in. Yes, there are many changes with all the new signings and transitions. But as a footballer, your focus should be on performing on the pitch.”
“You can’t dwell on external factors; you have to concentrate and give your best when called upon. That’s my approach.”
After Mauricio Pochettino departed Chelsea at the end of the last season, despite leading the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, there has been pressure on new manager Enzo Maresca.
The Italian, who helped Leicester earn promotion back to the Premier League last season, has so far made effective team selections, and Madueke is relishing the opportunity to play under him.
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The 22-year-old expressed: “He’s a fantastic guy, a skilled manager, and a great tactician. He is assisting me in refining my game with subtle details—insights I might not consider on my own. A true manager offers advice like, ‘this can help you score more’ or ‘this can help you get behind defenses more.’ Such nuances are incredibly beneficial.”
Chelsea has experienced a mixed start to their season, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City, triumphing over Wolves 6-2, and drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace.
Madueke has been in outstanding form under Maresca, netting four goals in four appearances this season, with three of those goals scored against Wolves.
Another player shining this season is Cole Palmer. After an impressive debut season with the Blues, Palmer’s current form includes one goal and four assists.
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Madueke and Palmer have played alongside each other for several years, including for the England under-21 team, and the winger believes their long-standing partnership is benefiting both at Chelsea.
“We’ve been teammates for about eight years, playing in similar roles, » he noted. “Having him on my side is fantastic; we share a good rapport off the pitch, and our understanding on the field is strong as well. It’s easy to play alongside someone who knows your style, as I do with him. Our chemistry is solid, and I hope it continues.”
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https://talksport.com/football/2034198/noni-madueke-chelsea-noise-maresca-palmer/
