‘Backs himself’: 21-year-old now confident he can break into Chelsea’s starting team – journalist

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke is confident that he can get into Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI.

On his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, journalist Simon Phillips claimed that Noni Madueke “backs himself” to become a regular starter at Stamford Bridge and is currently focusing on getting into the team.

All of the 21-year-old’s appearances in the Premier League so far this season have come from off the bench.

He reminded Pochettino of what he can do, though, with his performance in England U21s’ incredible 9-1 win against Serbia last week.

Madueke was at his best, scoring a couple of goals for Lee Carsley’s side.

Noni Madueke’s stats for Chelsea

This season, Madueke has made four appearances for Chelsea and scored one goal, which was a penalty in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Last term, the England U21 international played 12 times for the Blues following his January move from PSV Eindhoven, finding the back of the net just once.

However, Madueke has been in and out of the side, explaining why his goal numbers have not been incredible.

And with the form that Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have been in, it is not going to be easy for Madueke to tie down a spot in Pochettino’s starting XI.

It does not look like Madueke is going to give up, though, and maybe the level of competition at Stamford Bridge could end up really pushing him.

Chelsea take on Arsenal next and perhaps we will see Madueke get some minutes if he impresses Pochettino in training this week.