Fabrizio Romano shares that Chelsea considered shock sale of key player this summer
During the summer transfer window of 2024, Chelsea faced a notable decision regarding one of their promising young stars, Noni Madueke. According to Fabrizio Romano, a highly respected football journalist known for his insights on transfers, there was a period when the London club considered selling Madueke, which would have come as a shock to many fans, given his potential and recent form.
Noni Madueke arrived at Chelsea in January 2023 from the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Chelsea paid a transfer fee of around £29 million to secure the services of the winger, who had impressed during his time in the Eredivisie. However, upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Madueke had a somewhat challenging start, struggling to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. Despite these early struggles, Chelsea’s management and coaching staff remained patient, believing in his ability to adapt and eventually shine.
The 2023/2024 season began in a similar fashion, with Madueke not immediately becoming a regular starter or standout performer. But as the season progressed, he gradually found his rhythm. By the latter half of the campaign, he became a crucial figure for the Blues, scoring key goals that played a significant role in the club’s push to secure a top-six finish in the Premier League. This top-six finish was vital for Chelsea, as it ensured their return to European football, a key objective for the club after a turbulent season the previous year.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and despite Madueke’s growing importance to the team, Chelsea did consider the possibility of offloading him. Romano revealed that in late June, the idea of selling Madueke was genuinely discussed within the club. At that point, he was even on the transfer radar of two major clubs: Newcastle United and German side RB Leipzig. Both clubs expressed interest in acquiring the winger, and had Chelsea decided to part ways with him, these were two potential destinations.
The fact that Chelsea considered selling Madueke raised eyebrows, especially among fans who had seen him develop and perform increasingly well in the latter part of the 2023/2024 season. It was a curious move, considering that the winger had shown considerable promise, and with age on his side—at just 22 years old—he seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.
However, by the time August rolled around, it became evident that Madueke was no longer on the market. Romano reported that at a certain point in August, Chelsea’s internal stance on the player shifted. Madueke was deemed “untouchable,” meaning that the club had no intention of letting him leave. This change in sentiment was likely due to his pre-season performances and his continued development as a player.
Madueke’s significance to Chelsea only grew as the new 2024/2025 season kicked off. He carried over the strong form he had shown at the end of the previous season and made an immediate impact. In a notable performance early in the campaign, Madueke scored a brilliant hat-trick in Chelsea’s 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. This display highlighted his abilities as a goal scorer and playmaker, further cementing his position as a key player for the Blues.
His form did not go unnoticed at the international level, either. Madueke’s impressive performances for Chelsea earned him his first call-up to the England national team. He made his debut for the Three Lions during the international break, appearing in a friendly against Finland at Wembley Stadium. For a young player like Madueke, breaking into the highly competitive England squad was a significant milestone, and it underscored his rapid development in recent months.
Despite the arrival of several high-profile players at Chelsea during the summer transfer window—such as Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto—Madueke rose to the challenge. Rather than being intimidated by the increased competition for the right-wing position, he embraced it, making the spot his own at the start of the new season. This kind of resilience and determination was exactly what Chelsea needed as they sought to re-establish themselves among the Premier League’s elite after a few seasons of inconsistency.
One of the reasons Chelsea ultimately decided to keep Madueke was his fit within the tactical plans of their new manager, Enzo Maresca. Maresca, who took over the managerial reins at Chelsea in the summer of 2024, is known for his progressive and attacking style of football. Madueke’s pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal made him a perfect fit for Maresca’s system, and it quickly became clear that the young winger would be a central figure in the manager’s plans.
Romano emphasized that Madueke is now seen as an integral part of Maresca’s project at Chelsea, with the player expected to play a key role as the club aims to compete on multiple fronts, both domestically and in Europe. The fact that Chelsea considered selling him at one point only adds to the intrigue surrounding the player’s future, but for now, it appears that Madueke is firmly in the club’s plans.
In conclusion, Noni Madueke’s journey at Chelsea has been one of ups and downs, but he has emerged as a crucial player for the club heading into the 2024/2025 season. Despite early struggles and the brief possibility of a summer exit, Madueke has proven his worth, both to Chelsea and to the England national team. Under Enzo Maresca’s guidance, he is expected to continue developing and becoming a key figure in Chelsea’s quest for silverware in the coming years.
