Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that Noni Madueke is not injured and was simply left out of the squad for the Blues’ 1-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion last night.
Noni Madueke picked up an injury while on international duty with the England U21s and has missed Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches, but it does not look like that was the reason for his absence in the Carabao Cup yesterday.
When asked about his omission from the squad for last night’s win, Mauricio Pochettino told football.london and other outlets: “It’s about choice, it’s about choice. Election.”
Madueke has started just one game for Chelsea this season, which came in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
The Blues signed him from PSV Eindhoven in January in a £30m deal.
Noni Madueke’s absence a concern
If Madueke is fit and was still overlooked for Chelsea’s win against Brighton, that is a bit of a worry.
The winger has barely played this season, so it was a good opportunity for him to get another start and rack up some more minutes.
If he cannot even make the squad for a cup game versus the Seagulls, then you have to wonder when he is actually going to get his next start.
Maybe it is a training thing. Perhaps Pochettino wants to see more from the England U21 international at Cobham.
Whatever the reason, it is still early in the season. Madueke has time to win over the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager if that is what he needs to do.
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