Who is Noni Madueke? Things to know about the English winger

Noni Madueke has attracted plenty of interest from his native England, with Chelsea currently at the top of a long list of suitors which includes the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle.

PSV Eindhoven have already shipped out Cody Gakpo to Liverpool, but he may soon be joined in England by 20-year-old Madueke, who has long been heralded as a potential star of the future.

Here’s all you need to know about Madueke.

Born in London, Madueke began his career with Crystal Palace before joining Tottenham’s academy in 2014, shining at youth level before taking his talents to PSV in 2018 – a move he says was down to the quicker pathway to senior football.

Madueke has confirmed that he rejected offers from Chelsea and Manchester United to head to PSV, and he had no regrets about doing so as he made his senior debut in January 2020, shortly before he turned 18.

The 2020/21 campaign was Madueke’s breakout year as he racked up seven goals and six assists in 24 games, but he struggled to maintain that form as injuries limited his minutes.

He has openly admitted that he wants to return to the Premier League when he does eventually leave PSV.

Internationally, Madueke is eligible for both Nigeria and England but he has dedicated his youth career to the latter, starting out in the Under-15s and turning out for the Under-21s as recently as March 2022.

“I am a bit of a showman,” Madueke told Sky Sports when asked to describe himself. “I try to beat players. I am fast. I have an eye for goal. That is how I would describe myself.”

A left-footed right winger, Madueke is known for his electric agility and love of beating his defender with quick footwork – something he prides himself on.

“Playing nice, dribbling, that’s what I live for,” he once admitted.

Madueke primarily lines up on the right wing but has played as a secondary striker, teaming up with Gakpo at the top of Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-2-2 setup, but the vast majority of his appearances have come out wide.

Unsurprisingly, Madueke’s best assets are his speed and his fast footwork. He’s a sensational dribbler who prides himself on his ability to beat a defender.

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