Chelsea star tipped for bizarre position change

Cameron Smith

15 Oct 2024 21:00 BST
3 min read

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has been tipped to become a centre-forward by former Blues star Tony Cascarino.

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The 22-year-old has enjoyed a sublime start to the 2024-25 campaign, with summer signing Pedro Neto unable to usurp him in Enzo Maresca’s preferred starting XI.

Madueke has four goals in six Premier League games so far this season and he is now a fully-fledged senior England international as a result of his recent form at Stamford Bridge.

However, Cascarino believes the ex-Tottenham Hotspur youth star could benefit from moving into a number nine role.

Madueke has solely played as a right winger since arriving at Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, but Cascarino has urged Enzo Maresca to consider a position change if Nicolas Jackson develops an injury.

What has been said?

Cascarino told talkSPORT (as per Chelsea Chronicle): “I would love to see him [Madueke] play the centre-forward role. I think give him a go because I see a centre-forward. I like him [Jackson], but I think if there’s an injury, I think Madueke.

“I love the directness of Madueke. He wants to get behind defenders. He really gets the ball out of his feet quickly and looks to shoot.”

Cascarino continued: “He looks like a centre-forward to me in the making. I saw Drogba at a very young age and he reminded me of Drogba.

“Look, is he as good in the air as Drogba was? No, he is not. Can he develop? Yes, he has got the physique. I think there is a lot of improvement in Madueke.”

Despite Cascarino’s suggestion, Madueke is unlikely to be moved into a centre-forward position at any point this campaign.

Christopher Nkunku is currently Chelsea’s back number nine and the France international has already netted eight goals for club and country so far this season, while Marc Guiu and Joao Felix are also options through the middle.