The 21-year-old left-back for Barca, who has represented Spain in seven matches, recalls competing ..Continue Reading
against Noni Madueke during his youth days and praises the winger as a ‘good player.’
Madueke, an England international, has shone for Chelsea this season under Enzo Maresca, scoring five goals in 10 appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea signed Madueke from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, committing him to a seven-and-a-half-year contract in a deal worth around £28.5 million.
Since joining, the 22-year-old has made 56 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists.
‘Another could be when I was in youth football against Madueke, who’s at Chelsea now,’ Balde told ESPN when asked to reveal his toughest opponents.
‘He’s a good player, I think he was at PSV then, it was another good game.’
Speaking in September, football pundit Jamie O’Hara tipped Madueke to start challenging Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka for his spot in England’s first-choice XI.
‘He’s really stepped it up this season, and I like the way he’s so direct, always wanting the ball and making things happen,’ O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport.
‘I think Madueke could be a real game-changer for England, and I’d go as far as to say he could challenge Bukayo Saka for a starting spot!’
After Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in their last Premier League game, Alan Smith declared that Madueke was now an ‘automatic pick’ for the Blues.
‘Madueke, almost an automatic pick these days,’ the Arsenal legend said on Sky Sports.
‘He’s got the confidence, the trust of his manager and he’s shown a consistency of performance.’
