In Focus: Madueke making progress at Chelsea after slow start

Noni Madueke has endured a mixed start to his Chelsea career after joining from PSV Eindhoven last January.

There have been glimpses of genuine quality and a few eye-catching performances, though consistency and regular game time have been lacking.

But two goals in consecutive games last month against Crystal Palace and Luton suggest that Madueke is beginning to find his groove in the Premier League.

Ahead of Chelsea's clash with Fulham, we assess the winger's first year in West London.

Stepping up

In many ways, Madueke's arrival was overshadowed by several other big-money additions last January, namely the signings of Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile.

The England youth international made 12 Premier League appearances and scored one goal in the second half of 2022-23 — but like all the new arrivals, he was not helped by Chelsea's disappointing end to the season.

The 21-year-old has yet to establish himself as a guaranteed starter under Mauricio Pochettino so far this term, though recent games have been more encouraging.

A coolly-taken penalty in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Palace was followed by an emphatic finish at Luton just days later, two huge confidence boosts for the mercurial winger.

After those victories, Pochettino said: "We have spoken about players needing to improve and he [Madueke] is a player that has improved a lot.

"I am so happy with his behaviour and the way he has committed, first with himself and also with the other areas of the club.

"He has potential and talent, but it's in the way he behaves and does things in the future that will help him succeed."

Impressive numbers

Though limited to just 230 minutes of Premier League football in 2023-24 so far, Madueke's numbers make for promising reading.

He ranks first among Chelsea players for shots per 90 minutes (3.52), attempted take-ons per 90 (6.65) and completed passes into the final third per 90 (25.43).

There is still a rawness to the youngster's game but his directness and persistent threat in attack are enviable qualities.

Reaching a consistent level of performance will be the key for Madueke, who knows he will need to work hard to gain — and then keep — a regular spot in Chelsea's starting XI.

Full focus required

Madueke has suffered recent criticism, though, with ex-Blues defender Frank Leboeuf particularly scathing in the aftermath of Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat at Middlesbrough.

He said: "Madueke, at one point, he made a cross where we could see there was no Chelsea player in the 16-yard box.

"The last time I saw that I was 14 years old in my village where you don't know what to do with the ball so you cross it.

"The guy is a professional player, it means he crossed by instinct. He doesn't know what he does, he does not inform himself on what he has to do. That is absolutely appalling."

The loss on Teesside will have served as a reminder to Madueke that standards are high at Chelsea and there is massive room for improvement.

But in the right environment and with adequate support, he has shown himself capable of influencing games in the Premier League and another chance to shine beckons against Fulham this afternoon.