Jamie Carragher brutally tricked Noni Madueke live on TV following Chelsea’s win over Wolves.
The Sky Sports pundit spoke to the Blues winger on Monday Night Football following the Stamford Bridge clash.
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Carragher tricked Madueke live on Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports
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The Chelsea winger opened up on a private chat with England manager Thomas TuchelCredit: Sky Sports
Madueke was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win for his side to complete a Premier League double over Wolves this season.
Enzo Maresca’s side previously won 6-2 at Molineux back in August, with Madueke scoring a hat-trick for the visitors on that day.
After the match, the 22-year-old spoke to Sky Sports about his performance, with Carragher revealed new England boss Thomas Tuchel had been watching.
He claimed: “We spoke to him just after the game and he said you were the standout figure.”
The Three Lions international then revealed he had privately spoken to Tuchel over his England future.
Madueke explained: “I spoke to him earlier on this week and we kind of had a laugh about the game.
“I told him that I scored a hat-trick in the earlier fixture and he said, ‘well you better go and score again then’, so.
“Yeah, that I was able to do so, chuffed with that.”
However, presenter Dave Jones then revealed that Carragher had been on the wind-up, prompting Madueke to admit: “That was a good one.”
The former Liverpool man defended himself, though, arguing: “He gave us a bit of an exclusive there, didn’t he, that he spoke to the manager?”
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Madueke scored in Chelsea’s win over WolvesCredit: Getty
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Tuchel will name his first England squad in MarchCredit: Getty
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand wants Chelsea star Noni Madueke slapped with fine for what he did against Arsenal
This was met with Jones quipping: “So that’s the key to getting exclusives, making stuff up… Jamie, you’re terrible.”
Tuchel officially took over as England boss on January 1 and has since been spotted in the stands at several Premier League matches.
His first matches in charge are scheduled for March, when the Three Lions face Albania and Latvia at Wembley Stadium in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Madueke has won five caps for England since being handed his debut by interim boss Lee Carsley in September.
Despite not yet opening his senior international account, Madueke picked up assists against both Finland and Greece during their Nations League campaign.
The former PSV star’s latest goal takes his tally for the season to seven in 23 appearances across all competitions.
He has also chipped in with three assists for his teammates in those matches.
Enzo Maresca has called for Noni Madueke to be ‘much, much, much better’ despite his starring role in Chelsea’s latest win.
The winger scored and provided an assisted in a 5-1 victory away to Southampton on Wednesday night.
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Many will consider a goal and an assist a good night’s work by MaduekeCredit: Getty
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Maresca feels his player needs to do a lot more, howeverCredit: Getty
However, his work-ethic was questioned by the Blues boss after the match.
Madueke teed up Christopher Nkunku to re-establish the visitors’ lead after Joe Aribo cancelled out Axel Disasi’s opener.
The England international then added a goal of his own to double their lead before half time.
He was hauled off in the 72nd minute, though, before Cole Palmer and his replacement Jadon Sancho added further gloss to the scoreline.
Maresca was not entirely satisfied with the 22-year-old’s performance.
Speaking after the win, the Italian explained: “Noni can do much more. When he scores and assists and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit.
“The reason he was not playing is because of the way he was training.
“When he scores one, he needs to keep trying to score and assist. Noni needs to understand he has to work more and he can be much, much, much better.”
Madueke’s exploits at St. Mary’s have taken his tally for the season to five goals and two assists in 13 Premier League appearances.
It comes after he also turned provider in the win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
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Madueke played a part in two of Chelsea’s five goals at SouthamptonCredit: Getty
Following a second victory in four days, Madueke told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams: “I could have scored a hat-trick today, quite easily.
“But a goal and an assist is okay, I’ll take that. I’ll go into the next game and try and help my team.”
As for playing under Maresca, he added: “He’s been great for me.
“Not just in terms of the things I like to do, in quotation marks, score goals and beat players, but even in the less pretty parts of football, the defensive part, being reliable.
“He’s helped me a lot with that, so yes, credit to him.”
Wednesday’s win saw Maresca’s side cut the gap to leaders Liverpool down to seven points after the Reds were held to a 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
Jody Morris and Jason Cundy on Noni Madueke ‘disrespecting’ Chelsea fans against Arsenal
Meanwhile, they could reduce the deficit even further on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues visit Tottenham in a London derby before travelling to Kazakhstan to take on Astana in the Europa Conference League in midweek.
Noni Madueke has rubbished speculation that he disrespected Chelsea by storming down the tunnel – insisting he was just going to the toilet.
The 22-year-old was withdrawn in the 68th minute against Arsenal in last week’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, with Mykhailo Mudryk replacing him.
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Madueke has been subject to criticism following his reaction to being taken off at ArsenalCredit: Getty
He was then caught on camera walking immediately down the tunnel instead of taking his seat alongside his teammates in the Blues dugout.
Boss Enzo Maresca discussed the incident post-match, where he defended Madueke, claiming that no player is happy when they are taken off.
Madueke’s reaction led to Rio Ferdinand blasting the England international as ‘disrespectful’, while insisting he should face punishment from the west London giants.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Manchester United legend said: “You think (Danny) Welbeck or Tom Cleverly or Nani are going to storm off the pitch and throw their dummy out?
“It’s disrespectful to your teammates as well. It’s a young team. Who are the experienced players who are going to go in there and say, ‘Woah, we don’t accept that here.’
“I think the manager protecting him is mad. And that’s why I couldn’t be in there [as a manager].
“Because I couldn’t come out and play the game where you say, ‘Yeah he was in the wrong but [he’s a good kid]’. Fined, that’s a two-week fine.”
Even Chelsea cult hero and former coach Jody Morris lamented Madueke when speaking to talkSPORT, insisting he would be ‘fuming’ if he was the player’s teammate.
But Madueke has now set the record straight over his sharp exit as he stated outrage aimed at him has been a massive misunderstanding.
He said: “‘I literally went down the tunnel to go to the toilet and I came back 30 seconds later.
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Madueke has started the last ten Premier League matches for the BluesCredit: Getty
“If you watch a lot of games when I come off, I always going straight down the tunnel to go to the toilet.
“It is nothing major at all.”
Madueke has been a key player for Chelsea this term – starting the last ten matches in the Premier League.
He is just one goal shy of equalling his haul of five top-flight goals from last season.
Though three of his four strikes this term came in the 6-2 win away at Wolves on August 25.
Still, his form has seen him included in the last three England squads for their Nations League qualifying campaign.
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Forward Madueke has made the right wing position his own at Stamford Bridge
He has featured in the last four matches under interim boss Noni Madueke.
Following Arsenal star Bukayo Saka‘s withdrawal due to injury, Madueke was handed his first international start in the 3-0 midweek win over Greece at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
It was Madueke who supplied the assist for Ollie Wakins’ opener to show he is up for the task of rivalling Saka for a staring spot.
Commenting on the competition for places at England, Madueke said: “I don’t look at Bukayo like competition.
“I look at Bukayo as a team-mate who plays for England. I know his quality and he is a player that I look at to try and implement parts of his game into mine.
“I don’t look at him like, ‘I am coming for you.’
“The manager will make his decision and I am happy to be part of this team, and to start to make a difference for England this early on in my career is great.
“I feel like I did my job. I created the first goal and I was a threat pretty much until I came off. That is what I try to bring every time I step on the pitch.”
Madueke will be hoping to keep his place in England’s final National League clash with Ireland at Wembley on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who captained the Under-21s to Euros glory last year, is also familiar with several of his new Three Lions teammates.
Harwood-Bellis was part of the England U17s side, overseen by now-Leicester manager Steve Cooper, alongside fellow Premier League stars Morgan Rogers, Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke, and Burnley‘s James Trafford.
The quintet, who are all included in Carsley’s current squad, were involved in a 5-2 victory over Switzerland in March 2019.
The five England stars, of which only Madueke has played at senior international level so far, may be surprised to find out one of the Swiss players from that day retired last weekend.
Not due to injury. Silvan Wallner has quit football aged just 22 because it conflicts with him going to church every Saturday.
The defender, who helped hometown club FC Zurich win the Swiss league title two years ago, announced his retirement on Sunday.
Wallner only signed a two-year contract with Austrian Bundesliga side Blau-Weiss Linz in September and has made five appearances.
However, his club confirmed his retirement hours after a famous 2-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg.
Salzburg, managed by former Jurgen Klopp assistant Pep Lijnders, also boasted Liverpool loanee Stefan Bajcetic in their ranks – whose former Reds teammate Harvey Elliott started England’s win over Switzerland that Wallner was an unused substitute for.
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Rogers scored twice for England U17s against Wallner’s young Swiss sideCredit: Getty
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Harwood-Bellis – who also started that game – has earned his first senior call-up
Wallner has confirmed that he has ended his deal with Blau-Weiss Linz by mutual consent after putting his faith above elite football.
The former footballer is a believer in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which observes Saturday, not Sunday, as the day of rest.
He told the club’s website: “First of all, I would like to thank those responsible, the staff and the entire Blau-Weiss Linz team.
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“I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has accompanied and supported me in my sporting career so far.
“I am a devout Christian and I read the Bible.
“I make my own decisions in life. I am also not a member of a church yet.
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Wallner made just five appearances for LinzCredit: Getty
“I want to follow Jesus Christ and the biblical day of rest has become important to me.
“For me as a professional, this means that from now on I do not want to play football for a living on Saturdays.
“It is my personal conviction that I have come to in the last few days.”
Enzo Maresca has announced where each of his attacking players will play this season as he discussed the incredible options at his disposal.
No other Premier League side boast an arsenal of attacking talent like the Blues, whose squad is stacked with quality.
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Chelsea boss Maresca is blessed with a squad stacked full of attacking talentCredit: Getty
In last week’s 1-0 win away at Bournemouth, the west Londoners started Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.
And in the second half, Maresca brought on Joao Felix as well as Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku, with the duo combining for the club’s late winner.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk and 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu were unused substitutes.
Chelsea’s stacked options up top have led to fans questioning where they will all fit into Maresca’s system, which comprises of two wingers, a No.10 and a lone centre-forward.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s London derby away at rivals West Ham on Saturday – live on talkSPORT – Maresca addressed those concerns, as he outlined where he sees every player featuring.
He said in his press conference: “As left wingers, we have Jadon and Misha [Mykhailo Mudryk].
“As right wingers, we have Noni and Pedro. As attacking midfielders, we have Joao and Cole.
“As a No.9, we have Nicolas, Christo [Nkunku] and Marc. We do not have so many players, we have two players for each position.”
He continued: “Christo can play as a No.9 or as an attacking midfielder and a winger.
“Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] can play in the pocket and wide.
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Nkunku and Sancho are just two high-quality forwards at Maresca’s disposalCredit: Getty
“Pedro was playing as a left-winger because Jadon wasn’t here and fit and, between Misha, Pedro and Jadon, I preferred Pedro for that one game… but that doesn’t mean always I will prefer Pedro.
“So the squad is quite clear in terms of positions. All of them have their position and we have two players in each position.
“But because they are versatile, good and can play in different positions, for sure we can move them.
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“For example, Christo played the first game against Manchester City as a winger.”
It remains to be seen what frontline Maresca will go with against the Hammers at the London Stadium.
Although Jackson seems destined to lead the line once again having started each of their opening four Premier League matches and scored two goals, plus provided one assist.
Enzo Maresca has been presented with a right-back conundrum in his preparations for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.
The Blues face the Cherries on Saturday evening, live on talkSPORT, in search of a second Premier League win of the season.
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Chelsea are eyeing a second league win of the seasonCredit: Getty
Chelsea fans could be set for a first glimpse of Deadline Day signing Jadon Sancho, with Cole Palmer set to play a key role again.
However, Maresca will be without his two senior right-backs on the south coast as Reece James and Malo Gusto are out through injury.
“Malo is still out and he is not available for tomorrow’s game,” he said on the Frenchman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.
Speaking on club captain James, who has been dealing with another hamstring problem, Maresca stated: “Unfortunately, Reece needs more time.”
Given the absences at right-back, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Chelsea’s starting XI could look this weekend at Bournemouth.
Robert Sanchez has featured as the Blues’ goalkeeper in all three of their opening Premier League matches and is set to do so again.
Filip Jorgensen started in their Conference League qualifying matches against Servette, but could miss out after coming off for the Denmark U21s during the international break.
With James and Gusto unavailable, Maresca could turn to Axel Disasi to play at right-back against Bournemouth.
The Frenchman is a natural centre-back, but has played on the right of the defence for Chelsea before, doing so eight times last term.
Moises Caicedo is another potential option for the position having featured there for Brighton, but he is almost certain to play in midfield instead.
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Maresca will not have right-backs James and Gusto available against BournemouthCredit: Getty
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Disasi could the man who plays in their absenceCredit: Getty
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Colwill and Fofana are likely to start in front of SanchezCredit: Getty
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have been Maresca’s go-to pairing at centre-back in the Premier League so far this season.
They are likely to start again this weekend ahead of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, who both featured against Servette.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella is likely to be named in the starting XI for a fourth consecutive league match over Ben Chilwell.
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Chilwell is back in Chelsea contention after being included in their 25-man Premier League squad list and is set to return to training after his exile from the first-team.
Romeo Lavia made his first start for the Blues in their 2-0 opening weekend defeat to Manchester City, but will miss the trip to Bournemouth.
Maresca said he is ‘very close’ to making a comeback in training after a hamstring injury, so Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be given the nod in midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are other options, however it’s unlikely they will all feature in the matchday squad.
Noni Madueke will be hopeful of a return to the starting XI at right-wing after he assisted Harry Kane on his England debut on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old shone in Chelsea’s 6-2 win against Wolves prior to the international break as he scored an excellent second-half hat-trick.
In attacking midfield, Palmer looks to be the nailed-on choice for Maresca as he continues to be the Blues’ standout player.
He already has one goal and four assists to his name this season and, despite withdrawing from England duty, he has been in training this week and is set to feature at the Vitality Stadium.
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Caicedo will be hopeful of putting in another dominant midfield performanceCredit: Getty
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Palmer and Madueke were excellent together against WolvesCredit: Getty
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Pedro Neto could be handed another start for Chelsea at left-wingCredit: Getty
For the left-wing position, Sancho could be handed his Chelsea debut after signing on loan from Manchester United in a deal that includes an obligation to buy for a total £25million.
Maresca spoke on his potential inclusion during his pre-match press conference, but remained coy when he said: “I decide the first XI.
“It depends on the training session. Jadon is one of our wingers. I’m seeing the exact way I expected of him.
“He is a very good player in the last third, one-v-one, quality in the last third, so he is exactly the player we were looking at. It’s a matter of finding the right moment for him and to give him a chance.”
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Sancho may be set to make his Chelsea debut this weekendCredit: Getty
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Jackson has scored against Wolves and Palace so far this seasonCredit: Getty
Mykhailo Mudryk has made the most starts on the left of the attack this season, but Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto instead, with Sancho coming off the bench if needed.
Chelsea announced on Friday that Nicolas Jackson has signed a new two-year deal at the club until 2033 and he looks set to lead the line once again.
The Senegal international banged in 19 goals in all competitions last season and already has two to his name this campaign, as well as an assist across four appearances.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku have so far scored one and two goals respectively and can play as the centre-forward if needed along with Marc Guiu, although he is unlikely to feature.
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Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth…
Chelsea’s winger Noni Madueke says negative noise around the club is ‘exaggerated’ as he hailed life under Enzo Maresca so far.
The Blues’ transfer window activity snatched headlines this summer, with a number of big names heading for the exit.
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Madueke is loving life at ChelseaCredit: Getty
Romelu Lukaku left for Napoli, whilst Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal on loan after being dropped from the squad and his camp dropping a statement about his future at the club. Ben Chilwell, meanwhile, remains in exile.
A number of players are training away from the first team as they struggle to get into the match day squads.
But Madueke insists things aren’t as chaotic as they have been suggested to be.
The winger, who earned his first senior England call-up for this month’s internationals, told talkSPORT: “Of course what you guys see on the outside is slightly exaggerated.
“Of course, in the building, it’s a great place to be, to be around. But of course there’s a lot of things going on with all the signings, the turnover and stuff.
“But as a football player your job is to perform on the pitch.
“You can’t be looking at all the outside stuff, you have to zone in, try and play your best football when you’re called upon.
“That’s what I try and do.”
After Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea at the end of last season despite guiding the Blues to a sixth place finish in the Premier League, the pressure was on for new manager Enzo Maresca.
But the Italian, who got Leicester promoted back to the Premier League last season, has appeared to be getting his team selections right so far – and Madueke is enjoying playing under him already.
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Madueke had high praise for his managerCredit: Getty
The 22-year-old said: “He’s a great guy, very good manager, great tactician. He’s helping me a lot with my game, little details.
“Things that you wouldn’t necessarily think of yourself. I always feel like a great manager will say ‘this will help you score more, this can help you get in behind more’, stuff like that.
“Little things like that really help.”
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Chelsea have had a mixed start to the campaign, losing 2-0 to Manchester City, thumping Wolves 6-2 and drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace.
Madueke has been on fire under Maresca, scoring four goals in as many games this season – three of them coming at Molineux.
One star that’s also flourishing this season already is Cole Palmer.
After a stellar debut campaign for the Blues last term, Palmer has carried on his electric form, bagging one goal and four assists so far.
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Palmer assisted all three of Madueke’s goals at WolvesCredit: Getty
Madueke and Palmer played alongside each other for years before Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, starring for England’s under-21s.
And the winger says that experience together is working wonders for them both at Chelsea.
“We’ve been playing with each other for eight years now I think in the exact same positions we’re playing in now,” he said.
“So it’s great he’s my teammate and we’ve got a good relationship off the pitch as well, but on the pitch we know each other’s games.
“It’s easy to play with someone like that because he knows what you like to do, and I know what he likes to do.
“We have a good chemistry and long may it continue.”
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Cole Palmer has joined an exclusive Premier League club after tearing Wolves apart on Sunday.
The Chelsea star was in electric form at Molineux, bagging an unbelievable four goal contributions before the 63rd minute.
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Palmer was on fire at MolineuxCredit: Getty
After Nicolas Jackson’s early goal and Matheus Cunha’s equaliser, Palmer scored his first goal of the season just before half time.
Wolves then levelled the score again through Jorgen Strand Larsen to make it 2-2 – but after the break, Palmer turned things up a notch.
The England international set up all three of Noni Madueke’s goals, with the winger netting his first ever senior career hat-trick.
Madueke – who had rattled Wolves fan with an X-rated Instagram post earlier that day – pointed at Palmer as he celebrated to praise him for his role in his treble.
As a result of his three assists for Madueke, Palmer is now one of five players to have assisted each goal for a teammate’s hat-trick in Premier League history.
Mike Newell set up Alan Shearer’s Blackburn hat-trick against Coventry in 1995.
Stan Collymore did the same for Robbie Fowler against Arsenal in the same year with Liverpool.
Thierry Henry assisted Freddie Ljungberg’s treble against Sunderland in 2003.
The last Premier League player to achieve the feat before Palmer was ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane in 2020.
He set up Heung-Min Son three times against Southampton, as well as scoring one himself in the 5-2 win over the Saints.
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Palmer has written his name in Premier League history alongside Arsenal icon Thierry HenryCredit: Getty
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Palmer played a huge role in Chelsea’s win once againCredit: Getty
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He was running rampant in Wolves’ half
Palmer has now netted a whopping 26 goals and grabbed 18 assists for Chelsea since signing from Manchester City last summer.
The forward joined for a fee of £42.5million.
Joao Felix came on to score Chelsea’s sixth goal of the afternoon on his second debut for the Blues, firing home ex-Wolves star Pedro Neto’s cross – as if Wolves needed more salt rubbed into their wounds…
Speaking about Palmer, Madueke said after the game: “He is cold and I am fire, so… it mixes well!
“He has always got the ability to play the right pass at the right time.
“So we can say it’s brilliant!”
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He signed a seven-year deal with the club after signing from PSV in January 2023, for £28.5million.
Madueke has played 47 times for the Blues and scored 10 times.
He has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
Newcastle are believed to have shown an interest in the winger.
Before signing for Chelsea there was other interest from the Premier League.
Manchester United were among the clubs interested in him.
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Madueke quickly deleted the post
Speaking previously, he said: “Yeah when you are doing well there is always interest. The Premier League is the best league in the world and every young English player wants to be there.
“I am not someone who is afraid to venture elsewhere so whatever is best for my development, whichever country, I am a person who won’t be scared to take the leap.
“Ronaldo is the biggest inspiration for someone who is confident but backs it up on the pitch every time he steps out. All my idols, people like Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi and the new generation guys like Mbappe, they all play with a confident arrogance.
“That is something I like and try to implement in my game as well.”
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Newcastle are interested in signing Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, talkSPORT understands.
The Blues are likely to be open to offers for the winger after the signing of Wolves ace Pedro Neto.
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Madueke has been looking good in pre-season for ChelseaCredit: Getty
Portugal forward Neto was in attendance at Stamford Bridge for the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan and Chelsea officially announced his arrival at half-time.
English star Madueke only signed for the west Londoners a year and a half ago in January 2023.
He arrived in a £28.5million deal from PSV Eindhoven having impressed for the Dutch giants.
While he had a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, the former Tottenham academy talent began to show his ability toward the end of the last campaign.
He ended it with five Premier League goals in 23 appearances, scoring three of those in the final eight matches of the season.
Of his 23 league games, just 13 were as a starter, with competition for places high at Chelsea with the large squad.
New manager Enzo Maresca currently has an overloaded forward department and Chelsea must look to balance the books after another summer spending spree.
A seasoned England youth international, he’s made 20 appearances for the Under-21s, scoring seven goals.
And Newcastle will be paying close attention to Madueke’s situation as they look to strengthen their squad.
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Madueke’s dribbling skills make him a threat on the wingCredit: Getty
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Neto was unveiled on the Stamford Bridge pitch at half-time of the pre-season friendly with Inter MilanCredit: Chelsea TV
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive pre-season, scoring three goals in five games, and was named in Maresca’s starting XI to face Inter Milan on Sunday.
The Magpies claimed a shock Champions League spot in 2022/23 but last year only managed a seventh place finish as injuries took their toll.
That means no European football this season but they will want to rectify that this term under Eddie Howe.
He’s already added goalkeepers Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy to his squad, along with centre-backs Lloyd Kelly and Miodrag Pivas.
William Osula has joined from Sheffield United, while Lewis Hall‘s permanent switch to St James’ Park has been confirmed following his loan last season.
