Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet has offered some sage advice to rising star Noni Madueke, encouraging the winger to maintain humility and work on his consistency if he wants to reach his full potential.
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Madueke, 22, began the season brightly under new manager Enzo Maresca, scoring four goals in his first two games against Servette and Wolves across the Europa Conference League and Premier League.
Although his form has dipped slightly, with just one additional goal against Nottingham Forest last month, Maresca has kept faith in the young forward as a key part of Chelsea’s attack.
Madueke’s impressive outings for England during the international break have once again highlighted his potential, but Poyet believes there’s room for growth.
“Noni Madueke will always be a player who has 30-minute spells where he’s incredible, but then he can go quiet in games,” Poyet said in an interview with BetVictor.
“He’s been starting games very well, but sometimes his performance declines throughout the game. That said, he’s direct, confident, and critical to Chelsea’s attacking approach.”
Poyet emphasized the importance of consistency in Madueke’s development:
“He must keep improving and believing in himself. Staying humble and down to earth is key. When he’s at the top of his game, he’s extremely influential.”
Madueke recently faced scrutiny for an incident during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, where Rio Ferdinand criticized him for appearing to storm down the tunnel after being substituted. Ferdinand even called it “disrespectful” and suggested it warranted a fine.
Madueke, however, dismissed the claims, explaining the situation last week:
“I literally went down the tunnel to go to the toilet and came back 30 seconds later. If you watch a lot of games, I always go straight to the tunnel to use the toilet—it’s nothing major.”
Madueke’s blend of pace, directness, and creativity makes him a vital asset for Chelsea, but as Poyet suggests, honing his consistency could elevate him further.
Chelsea returns to action this Saturday, facing Leicester City in the league, and Madueke will hope to solidify his influence under Maresca’s leadership. With his immense potential, all eyes are on whether he can respond to the challenge and take his game to the next level.