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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has poured cold water on reports linking winger Noni Madueke with a move to Arsenal, insisting the England international remains a key part of his plans for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Madueke, 23, has been the subject of mounting transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Arsenal reportedly monitoring his situation as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his attacking options. However, Maresca made his stance clear during a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.
“Noni is our player,” Maresca stated. “At the moment, there is a lot of speculation about many players, but we consider Noni our player for the coming season.”
The Chelsea boss’s comments serve as a firm hands-off warning not only to Arsenal, but also to other interested Premier League clubs including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been linked with the former PSV Eindhoven star.
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Madueke, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for £30 million, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, registering 11 goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. His contributions were vital in helping Chelsea secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and win the Europa Conference League.
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Noni Madueke (Image credit: Getty Images
Despite occasional criticism from Maresca regarding Madueke’s training intensity and consistency, the winger’s development has been notable. Advanced performance metrics highlight marked improvement in his end product and decision-making in the final third.
Arsenal’s reported interest is believed to stem from Arteta’s desire to add competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. With a move for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams growing increasingly unlikely due to the Spaniard’s reported preference for Barcelona, Madueke has emerged as a more attainable alternative. However, sources close to the situation suggest the Gunners have only “looked at” Madueke’s status and have yet to submit a formal offer.
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Chelsea are in a strong position to fend off interest, with Madueke under contract until 2030 and the club holding an option to extend for an additional year. While there are suggestions that Chelsea might consider a sale at the right price, Maresca’s firm statement implies the winger is not on the market.
The Evening Standard has reported that Chelsea’s pursuit of additional wide players including Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Lyon’s Malick Fofana is aimed at increasing squad depth rather than replacing Madueke. This strategy may also be influenced by uncertainty surrounding Mykhailo Mudryk, who faces a potential doping suspension.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel recently weighed in on the situation, praising Madueke’s potential while acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly in his defensive contributions. Mikel noted that a sizeable bid might tempt Chelsea, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching and players eager for guaranteed playing time.
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