The Premier League is the home of the world’s most expensive players. Yet, Noni Madueke has named former Chelsea defender Ola Aina when asked for the toughest full-back he’s faced.
Madueke became the latest player to swap Chelsea for Arsenal last summer, when Mikel Arteta’s side decided to splash a huge £52m to land the England winger. Chelsea had only signed him for £29m.
It looks to be a brilliant move for Madueke, with Arsenal reasserting their position at the top of the Premier League after a 4-1 win over Spurs. Indeed, the Gunners are still fighting on all four fronts.
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Madueke has been in and out of the Arsenal side, used rotationally by Arteta since his exit from Chelsea. The winger could well be in England’s World Cup squad, and he’s been speaking to TNT Sports recently.
Noni Madueke praises Ola Aina, sold by Chelsea for just £9m
The winger was asked for the toughest full-back he has come up against. Madueke has now played internationally for England, and in the Netherlands with PSV as well as spells with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Interestingly, Madueke answered by not specifically picking out Ola Aina, but naming the Nottingham Forest defender as a player who has caused him issues when the two players have done battle.
Ola Aina in action for Forest.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
“I’m going to say somebody, but it’s not that. I’m going to give someone their flowers. I’m going to give Ola Aina his flowers. Played against him a couple of times. He’s always tough, mad strong, mad physical.
“But he’s also very good on the ball. Some people probably wouldn’t give him any credit for that,” Madueke told TNT Sports, when asked for the toughest full-back he has faced in his young career.
Could Chelsea consider bringing Ola Aina back?
Aina left Chelsea for just £9m in 2019, joining Torino permanently. The Nigeria star has since made his way back to the Premier League after initially failing to live up to the hype. He’s ageing like a fine wine.
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Sold by Maurizio Sarri, it was reported last summer that Chelsea were interested in re-signing Aina. The positives are that Aina is proven in the Premier League and would provide cover on both sides.
But ultimately, Chelsea rarely sign players in their late twenties. BlueCo may be more willing to sign a few older players this summer, according to reports, but the chances of re-signing Aina seem very unlikely.
Especially, with Marc Cucurella more than likely set to remain, and Malo Gusto proving solid competition for Reece James at right-back. Jorrel Hato is raw, but he is a solid back-up for Cucurella on the left.
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