Noni Madueke could be fit and available for Chelsea to face Liverpool in their Premier League opening fixture.
That is according to a report from The Evening Standard.
They explain that Noni Madueke, 21, hasn’t played in any of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies due to a tightness in his hamstring.
It is understood that the right-winger has been back in training with Mauricio Pochettino’s group, but he’s not had any minutes under the new head coach during the pre-season schedule.
The report explains that the England Under-21 international is still ‘likely’ to be in contention to play against Liverpool in nine days time.
It certainly feels like the wide positions in Chelsea’s starting line-up is up for grabs right now, which is what will make Madueke’s recent injury problem even more frustrating.
The £29million (Sky Sports) left-footed speedster is certainly still quite raw and has a lot to learn as a 21-year-old.
He was a rare positive for the Blues that actually excited the fanbase during the second half of last season, though.
We suspect it’ll be too tough an ask to throw him straight into the XI for the league clash at home to Liverpool, but it’s very encouraging to hear a return is near.
If he can sharpen up his final pass and final decision, we see no reason why Madueke can’t become a regular in the Chelsea side on the right wing.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett’s ‘Diary of a CEO’ podcast last month, Frank Lampard tipped Madueke as one of the current Chelsea stars that has the potential to develop into a key individual at Stamford Bridge.
Hopefully, Pochettino is the type of coach that can get the best out of him.
Madueke should be encouraged that Chelsea’s pre-season shows they will play a 4-2-3-1 system, which could be great for him on the right flank.
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