Chelsea’s decision to sell Noni Madueke was a head-scratcher to many, and Shay Given isn’t convinced by his replacement.
Noni Madueke’s exit from Chelsea came as a surprise, but even more so to hear he was moving to London rivals Arsenal.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Noni Madueke to Arsenal, here we go! Fee agreed in excess of £50m with add-ons included, green light from Chelsea.
Madueke already agreed five year deal at Arsenal days ago and he’s now set to complete the move.
The winger leaves #CFC to join #AFC. pic.twitter.com/Cjeqnlswle
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2025
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Chelsea were happy to make the sale and the fee they received was undoubtedly good business. But Madueke’s start to life at Arsenal has caused many to question the club’s decision.
It has also piled the pressure on one new signing to hit the ground running, but Shay Given doesn’t think he will reach the same level this season.
Shay Given questions replacing Noni Madueke with Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho was the kind of market opportunity Chelsea love to pounce on. A 21-year-old out of favour at his previous club, Garnacho’s undeniable potential made the £40 million move a no-brainer.
But many pundits are looking at the two players and questioning if this was indeed the right move.
Appearing on BBC’s Monday Night Club, Given’s stance was assured.
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He said: “I’m actually surprised that Chelsea let him go because it looks like they’ve replaced him with Garnacho, and at the minute you would say Madueke is miles ahead of him.
“And I think he’s going to just get better and better. Still a young player, still going to be improved under Arteta, I’m sure. And enjoying that role.”
Shay Given just the latest to voice this concern
The Madueke/Garnacho debate has raged on since the season started, with most residing in the Arsenal winger’s camp.
On the same BBC episode, Chris Sutton revealed he was surprised at the decision to sell Madueke, having seen the potent relationship he formed with Chelsea’s star man.
He said: “He had that great understanding with Cole Palmer, didn’t he last season at Chelsea? I was surprised at the nature of his move across to Arsenal, you know, I think Chelsea have lost out there.”
Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United battles for possession with Noni Madueke of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
But the Argentinian has some in his corner as well. Recently, Florent Malouda claimed Garnacho could follow a Palmer trajectory.
The former Man United forward has been around so long that it’s easy to forget he is just 21 years old.
Ruing the decision to sell Madueke is a completely reasonable thing for fans to do, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of a player who currently wears the badge and who is yet to get the chance to prove himself.