Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino has been given proof that he can sell Hakim Ziyech without worries this summer after Noni Madueke got fit for his country.
The young Three Lions had a tough international tournament following the Under-21 disaster before Carsley’s appointment and Madueke’s role against the best in his age group has shown huge promise.
Appearing in all three games won by his team and scoring five of the six goals scored, his influence on the right wing was felt. Even with no goals or assists to show for his efforts, Madueke was recognized for his work with the Man of the Match award.
Against Germany, it was a superb run in the 52nd minute that drew attention to an otherwise brilliant performance. With his 34 contacts, he completed 20 of his 22 pass attempts, made four big passes and completed four of his five dribbles.
He has lost possession six times, won all but one of his duels and demonstrated why his direct approach from the flanks is so valuable. It was he who benefited as much as anyone from the end of the season under Frank Lampard’s management.
Madueke featured in all of the last seven matches after failing to appear in either of Lampard’s first two games, eventually starting in five of them. With his first goal against Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, the youngster became one of the go-to options up front.
He consistently outplayed Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic in a group of three on the right side of a 4-3-3, while edging out Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz when the lineup closed.
Although his production has remained sporadic, the point of difference method he plays with is very different from what his teammates can bring. Although there was only one goal, Madueke’s possession was news for Blues fans and poses a question for Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine prefers to play with an inside striker, think Christian Eriksen or sometimes Dele Alli and Eric Lamela, but the current squad is built for natural width with Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Madueke.
Ziyech’s upcoming sale to Saudi Arabia for around £8m opens up even more opportunities for the Englishman but also leaves a tactical conundrum.
While his form is promising and Pochettino’s preferred plans and methods are not yet known, Madueke will enter the summer a bit of a renegade and misfit.
It’s what he’s had great success with in his youth career so far and the rise of the Under-21 squad is just further proof of why Chelsea were so willing to spend £35million on him in January.
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Mateo Kovacic joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018 before making his transfer permanent for £40m a year later;