Arsenal - Micah Richards
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Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has voiced his confusion over reported Arsenal interest in Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, questioning where the 23-year-old would fit into Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal are said to be monitoring Madueke’s situation closely, with the England international emerging as a potential target in their summer recruitment drive. The Chelsea star enjoyed a strong 2024/25 campaign, tallying 16 goal contributions as the Blues went on to lift the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also broke into the senior England squad but has found himself slipping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, particularly with the arrivals of Jamie Gittens and Brazilian prodigy Estevão Willian.
With Chelsea continuing to bolster their wide options and Pedro Neto now seen as first choice on the right, speculation has mounted over Madueke’s future. Arsenal’s interest, however, has raised eyebrows, not least because of the £50 million price tag attached to the winger and the fact that he plays in the same position as Bukayo Saka, one of the Gunners’ undisputed starters.
READ MORE: Arsenal submit official bid for Chelsea forward Noni Madueke
Speaking onThe Rest Is Football podcast, Richards admitted he was baffled by the potential move.
“Madueke… where is he going to play? He’s been playing for Chelsea on the left recently. I really like him as a player, but I like him on the right and he’s not going to play ahead of Bukayo Saka, is he?”
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Noni Madueke (Image credit: Getty Images
“So, I’m scratching my head on that one. I agree they need two players in every position, but Saka is normally always fit until he got that really bad injury.”
Richards instead urged Arsenal to prioritise signing a striker, backing the club’s reported interest in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres.
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“Gyökeres is a really good striker. I think a striker is more important than getting Madueke in first.”
The former defender did praise Arsenal acquisition of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, hailing the midfielder’s tactical awareness and ball control after his impressive performance for Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
“I like Zubimendi. We saw him in the Euros final, when Rodri came off. Very good player, tactically really good. He’s good on the ball, really good awareness in midfield.”
Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, has just over two years of Premier League experience and remains a player of significant potential. But with competition mounting at Stamford Bridge and uncertainty over his long-term role under Enzo Maresca, a move away could still materialise.
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