Maresca could lose a key playerplaceholder image
Maresca could lose a key player | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea could lose a player who played as recently as Friday night to a Premier League rival.
Chelsea could yet sell a player who played as recently as Friday night when the Blues saw off Palmeiras in their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final. Enzo Maresca’s men defeated the Brazilian side thanks to a Cole Palmer goal and a deflected Malo Gusto effort either side of a goal from soon to be Chelsea man Estevao Willian.
As the Blues continue their efforts in the United States, efforts to recruit more players continue, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens looks to be the next arrival, from Borussia Dortmund. In theory, that signing does not displace anyone in the Chelsea squad because Chelsea need a winger, but reports suggest Maresca now wants another winger, with West Ham star Mohammed Kudus being linked.
That signing would surely displace a current Chelsea man, and it looks as though Noni Madueke is seen as the most dispensable despite the winger playing a starring role last season. With Pedro Neto preferred, Madueke is being heavily linked with a move away, and there is talk that Arsenal are considering offering Chelsea a deal.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Madueke would be open to the move to the Emirates Stadium. “I can confirm here today Noni Madueke is open to moving to Arsenal,” he told his YouTube channel. “Talks ongoing with his camp. No bid yet to Chelsea.”
Asked about the interest after the game on Friday night, a game that Madueke played, Maresca gave a pretty interesting answer. He said: "I want players who are happy to be with us and the ones that are not, they can go."
It’s unclear whether Maresca is hinting that Madueke does not want to stay or whether he is applying a general statement to all outgoing transfers, but he certainly didn’t shut down the rumours with his response.
Arsenal, the asking price and the replacement
Arsenal are in need of a winger this summer having had poor competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka last season. Leandro Trossard can play there, but it is arguably not his best position, and while he is a good back-up, the Belgian is not realistically challenging those two starters for a starting spot.
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has said of Madueke’s asking price: “Understand that Arsenal and several other clubs are interested in signing Noni Madueke from Chelsea this summer. The England forward is thought to be valued at £50m but believe that could be open to negotiation…”
Chelsea are likely to come up against a bigger asking price to sign a replacement for Madueke, with Kudus reportedly costing around £65million this summer. That’s despite the winger coming off a disappointing and unproductive campaign with West Ham, although the East London club struggles as a collective last term, under both Graham Potter and predecessor Julen Lopetegui.
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