Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirms Noni Madueke decided to leave the club, with the winger set to join Arsenal for £52m after two and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke is set to leave Chelsea after two and a half seasons with the club.
The 23-year-old winger has agreed to join Arsenal for a fee of £52m, and he won’t be part of Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup final. Instead, he’ll fly back to the UK to undergo his medical with the Gunners.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Madueke decided to leave the club, saying that nobody told him he had to go. “Noni decided to leave; nobody told Noni he had to leave,” Maresca said in a pre-match press conference. “If he is happy, we are happy.” Maresca’s comments suggest that Madueke’s departure was driven by his own desire for a new challenge.
Madueke reportedly wanted more regular football, given the influx of attacking signings at Chelsea.
Despite featuring regularly last season and making his England debut, the 23-year-old seems to have felt that his opportunities at Stamford Bridge were limited. With 20 goals and nine assists in 92 appearances, Madueke has made a significant contribution to Chelsea during his time at the club.
The transfer comes as a surprise to some, given Madueke’s promising form and potential.
However, Maresca’s comments suggest that the club was not opposed to Madueke’s departure, and they are happy to see him move on to new opportunities. With a new chapter ahead of him at Arsenal, Madueke will look to establish himself as a key player for the Gunners.
