Barcelona star Alejandro Balde has revealed Chelsea winger Noni Madueke as one of the toughest opponents he’s faced in is career.
Madueke was one of many new arrivals in January 2023 and he joined from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in a deal worth £29m.
The winger made a slow start to life at Chelsea and struggled at the start of last season under Mauricio Pochettino, but finished the campaign strongly and scored some important goals as the Blues secured a top six finish.
Barcelona star Balde names Madueke as one of his toughest opponents
Madueke has picked up where he left off last season and has already improved so much under the guidance of Enzo Maresca.
The 22-year-old seems tailor made for Maresca’s style of football and he’s established himself as Chelsea’s first choice right winger, despite the summer arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.
Madueke’s finishing seems to have improved and he has four goals in eight Premier League appearances, including a brilliant hat-trick in the 6-2 win against Wolves.
It’s not just the attacking side of Madueke’s game that’s improved, he’s also made big improvements in the defensive side of his game, something which Levi Colwill has praised him for.
The winger has been a real threat for the Blues this season with his one on one play and how he direct he is, which has caused Premier League defender’s problems.
Current Barcelona star Balde was asked to name his toughest opponents in a recent interview and perhaps surprisingly revealed Madueke as one.
“Another could be when I was in youth football against Madueke, who’s at Chelsea now,” he told ESPN as cited on X.com.
“He’s a good player, I think he was at PSV then, it was another good game.”
Chelsea will be hoping Madueke continues to improve throughout the season and he will need to stay on top of his game given the fierce competition for the places, and the arrival of Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian next summer.
