Marc Cucurella has defended team-mate Noni Madueke saying a clip showing him laughing after the FA Cup semi final defeat was taken “out of context.”
It’s been a difficult season for the Blues, and the last few matches certainly haven’t gone to plan, with defeat at Wembley, a 5-0 thrashing against Arsenal and a draw against Aston Villa.
After losing to Manchester City something happened which angered a lot of Chelsea fans as Madueke was seen laughing with Jack Grealish at the full time whistle.
This particularly angered Blues fans because Thiago Silva was in tears, whilst the 22-year-old was seen laughing away in the background.
However, Cucurella has leapt to the defence of his team-mate, and claimed Madueke was not happy after Mauricio Pochettino’s men got eliminated from the FA Cup.
“It [the picture] was out of context”, the left-back told The Athletic.
“A lot of players have different personalities. For sure, Noni was not happy because he always loves to win. He wants to win every game in training. [In] every action he shows it.
“I understand why the fans are not happy because we lost and he maybe showed he was happy. But, for sure, he was not happy. We know him.”
Madueke might have gone some way to getting back into the good books of the Chelsea faithful with his performance against Aston Villa on Saturday night.
The winger has impressed in recent weeks, and has started Chelsea’s last five games, completing his first 90 minutes of the season against Villa.
Patience will be required with him, the same as the majority of the squad, but his directness, dribbling and an eye for goal shows there is a player in there, and if developed in the right way can become an important player for the club.
Next up for the Blues is a massive London derby against Tottenham on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge.
