Chelsea team celebrate in a group huddle after Conference League game.
Chelsea team celebrate in a group huddle after Conference League game.

“Has got to stand up a little bit” – Pundit urges one Chelsea player to show more following Arsenal clash

Pundit Robbie Mustoe believes Noni Madueke has got to “stand up” a little bit and questioned whether Chelsea might look to upgrade that position.

The Blues battled to a hard fought point against Arsenal, which saw them move into third place heading into the international break.

Gabriel Martinelli had given the Gunners the lead on the hour mark, but Chelsea hit back ten minutes later through a great strike from Pedro Neto , but the Blues were unable to find a winning goal.

Mustoe thinks Madueke has got to stand up

Cole Palmer was named in the starting line-up with Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Netro and Madueke forming Chelsea’s attacking quartet.

Neto was arguably Chelsea’s most impressive attacker for the second week running as Palmer and Madueke both struggled to impact the game.

Having not featured against Manchester City, Madueke has started every Premier League game since, although his place in the team has been questioned in recent weeks with his performances dropping off.

Noni Madueke controls a ball against Arsenal. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Madueke didn’t make much of an impact against Arsenal. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Against Arsenal Madueke didn’t have the best game and failed to track back in the build-up to the visitor’s goal, which if he had done could possibly have prevented it.

The England international was substituted in the second half, a decision he wasn’t happy with and instead of taking his place on the bench he stormed straight down the tunnel, although Maresca played the incident down when asked. 

However, Mustoe believes Madueke needs to do more and questioned whether Chelsea would be looking to possibly upgrade on his position.

“My takeaways of Chelsea are, Madueke still learning, still not consistent, still a question mark on whether that position might be upgraded,” he told The 2 Robbies Podcast.

“Sounds harsh, but in terms of making a perfect Chelsea, Madueke has got to stand up a little bit. He’s only 22 years of age.”

Madueke’s place in the side is certainly under threat, and he recently hit back at a video criticising his recent form.

With both Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk knocking on the door to start it will be interesting to see if he retains his place after the international break.

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