Chelsea were without their designated penalty taker Cole Palmer for their game against Crystal Palace yesterday.
As a result, Noni Madueke stepped up to take Chelsea‘s spot kick, scoring to make it 2-1 and give his side all three points.
However, before dispatching, Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella claimed that his team-mates Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja asked him if he was sure that he wanted to take it.
In the end, everything went to plan, with Madueke having no trouble finding the back of Dean Henderson’s net.
Gallagher was actually in line to take the penalty, but Mauricio Pochettino urged him to give it to Madueke if the 21-year-old was feeling confident.
Noni Madueke making an impact right now
It is not only Madueke’s penalty that Pochettino will be happy with. His overall attacking play in his last couple of cameos have been bright ones.
Despite coming on in the second half, the England U21 international still managed to earn a 7.1 match rating on WhoScored.
This season, he has probably been underused by Pochettino. It is quite clear that he is a wide man with a lot of talent.
During the 2022/23 campaign, Madueke completed 2.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League, which was the highest average in Chelsea’s squad (WhoScored). This is a winger who is capable of getting past defenders and fairly easily.
Pochettino obviously has wide options, the likes of Palmer and Raheem Sterling, who were both suspended for the victory against Palace. However, Madueke deserves more chances.
It is a bit of a headache for the Chelsea boss, but it is a good problem to have.
It would now be a bit of a surprise if Madueke was left on the bench once again for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture against Luton Town.
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