Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino lasted just one season.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino claims it is hard to integrate winger Noni Madueke into the starting lineup because of Cole Palmer‘s excellent performances in the same position.
The Blues spent £30 million to sign Madueke from Dutch side PSV in January 2023, and he has been successful in scoring only seven goals and one assist in 37 appearances.
Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £42.5 million this summer, has played the same number of games but has been significantly more productive. He has proven himself to be significantly more valuable to the team.
The 21-year-old superstar has scored 19 goals and 13 assists in 37 Chelsea games. Pochettino must now figure out how to integrate both players into his XI. Otherwise, Madueke’s playing time will be a challenge because Palmer’s spot is more or less guaranteed.
Pochettino realizes that the spot of the winger, Madueke, has been a challenge for him. Quizzed about Madueke’s potential, Chelsea boss Pochettino said (h/t Metro):
“First of all it is all about to have the space for him. Because when the club signed Cole Palmer, Madueke was also here at the club and they are in the same position.”
“It’s all about adaptation and trying to find the dynamic where him and Palmer can play together. Hopefully he can be consistent playing in the starting XI and show his quality. But always it’s about to find the right balance in the team.”
The 22-year-old England international has shown flashes of talent throughout his appearances for the Blues. But he has yet to prove if he is good enough to start regularly for the Blues. Especially in comparison to Palmer, who has been Chelsea’s biggest and arguably only positive story of the season.
The scenario facing the Blue Boss is undeniably relatable. It’s a crucible of competition, where every player is tasked with showcasing their skills and worth within a finite window of opportunity. In this high-stakes environment, the mantra is clear: prove yourself or perish.
It is not like Madueke did not get a chance; he had his chance and that too several times but he failed to give out the performance that was expected of him. It’s a bitter reality for Madueke that when Palmer got the chance, he proved himself more than the 22-year-old and now he has the spot in the starting XI.
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