'He needs to do': Mauricio Pochettino says 21-year-old Chelsea player must improve to get in the starting XI
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino delivered a pretty blunt response when asked about Noni Madueke’s lack of minutes this season.
Noni Madueke, 21, should reflect on a pretty frustrating first half of the campaign.
The talented winger has only played eight games across all competitions, albeit he’s missed a few weeks through injury. In fact, he’s only started two matches since Mauricio Pochettino arrived into the manager’s dugout during the summer.
TEAMtalk reported earlier this month that Chelsea may be willing to sell £30million-rated Madueke after his relationship with Pochettino worsened.
Lack of Chelsea minutes
Madueke can’t get much of a look-in at Chelsea this season, which must be very frustrating for someone with huge potential.
The Blues confirmed via their official website yesterday that the 21-year-old is back in full training ahead of Sunday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
When asked if Madueke can do more to get more minutes, Pochettino responded via Football.London: “From the beginning of the season he was involved then not involved and he was injured and suffered some problems. Noni is in a position where there is massive competition and he needs to compete and to increase his level. He was injured and now recovered and maybe will be involved in the next games.”
Mauricio Pochettino says Noni Madueke needs to improve
We suspect some players will prefer a blunt answer from their managers when it comes to game time. It seems pretty firm for Pochettino to do that in public, though.
We’re not saying Madueke should be a nailed-on starter in the Blues line-up because he’s guilty of inconsistency, but he should have had far more opportunities over the course of the season.
The best way the skilful winger can improve is with more minutes in games.
Madueke’s strength is cutting infield from the right wing and onto his favoured left foot, so the immediate path into the starting line-up is blocked by Cole Palmer. However, we like Palmer in a central role as an attacking playmaker, which does open up a gap on the right flank.
We’re intrigued to see if Pochettino does grant Madueke the chance to play during this busy festive period.
from Breaking Chelsea News and Updates - The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/bOUdfmE
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