Former Liverpool player and Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock has labelled Noni Madueke a “nightmare” for defenders.
Madueke has made an impressive start to the season for Chelsea and has four Premier League goals in the first seven games, including a hat-trick in the 6-2 win against Wolves.
The 22-year-old’s form saw him called up to the England squad, and he made his debut against Finland at Wembley last month, where he assisted Harry Kane in the 2-0 win.
Madueke a nightmare for defenders
The winger was one of a number of players to arrive at Chelsea in a very busy window in January 2023 and it took him a bit of time to find his feet at the club.
Madueke endured a slow start under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but he put in a series of impressive performances towards the back end of the campaign and scored some crucial goals as Chelsea secured a top six finish.
Despite the arrivals of Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho over the summer, Madueke has carried his form into the new season and nailed down the right wing spot in Enzo Maresca’s strongest line-up.
The winger has proven to be a tricky customer for defenders with his dribbling ability and one on one play and Sky pundit Warnock has labelled him as a nightmare for fullbacks.
“When you look at him, he is a fullback’s worst nightmare because he can go both ways,” he told Sky Sports News as cited on X.com.
“I think there are elements of his game where he is breathtaking at times, in the way that he beats players. This is the one for a defender where it’s very difficult (to deal with).
“When he is on his run and he’s going towards you straight away. He can come inside on that left foot, but drags his shot there (against Nottingham Forest). He is hungry to score goals, this is what is good about him, he is happy to go both ways and is happy to go onto that right foot.”
Madueke will be hoping to add to his one England cap in the upcoming games against Greece and Finland in the Nations League before returning to action for Chelsea in a huge game against Liverpool on October 20th.