Noni Madueke insists Chelsea is a great place to be despite 'exaggerated' noise around 'great guy' Enzo Maresca's side

09/04/2024 06:03 PM

Chelsea's winger Noni Madueke says negative noise around the club is 'exaggerated' as he hailed life under Enzo Maresca so far. 

The Blues' transfer window activity snatched headlines this summer, with a number of big names heading for the exit.

Romelu Lukaku left for Napoli, whilst Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal on loan after being dropped from the squad and his camp dropping a statement about his future at the club. Ben Chilwell, meanwhile, remains in exile.

A number of players are training away from the first team as they struggle to get into the match day squads.

But Madueke insists things aren't as chaotic as they have been suggested to be.

The winger, who earned his first senior England call-up for this month's internationals, told talkSPORT: "Of course what you guys see on the outside is slightly exaggerated. 

"Of course, in the building, it’s a great place to be, to be around. But of course there’s a lot of things going on with all the signings, the turnover and stuff. 

"But as a football player your job is to perform on the pitch. 

"You can’t be looking at all the outside stuff, you have to zone in, try and play your best football when you’re called upon. 

"That’s what I try and do.”

After Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea at the end of last season despite guiding the Blues to a sixth place finish in the Premier League, the pressure was on for new manager Enzo Maresca.

But the Italian, who got Leicester promoted back to the Premier League last season, has appeared to be getting his team selections right so far – and Madueke is enjoying playing under him already.

The 22-year-old said: "He's a great guy, very good manager, great tactician. He's helping me a lot with my game, little details.

"Things that you wouldn't necessarily think of yourself. I always feel like a great manager will say 'this will help you score more, this can help you get in behind more', stuff like that.

"Little things like that really help."

Chelsea have had a mixed start to the campaign, losing 2-0 to Manchester City, thumping Wolves 6-2 and drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace.

Madueke has been on fire under Maresca, scoring four goals in as many games this season – three of them coming at Molineux.

One star that's also flourishing this season already is Cole Palmer.

After a stellar debut campaign for the Blues last term, Palmer has carried on his electric form, bagging one goal and four assists so far.

Madueke and Palmer played alongside each other for years before Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, starring for England's under-21s.

And the winger says that experience together is working wonders for them both at Chelsea.

"We've been playing with each other for eight years now I think in the exact same positions we're playing in now,” he said.

"So it's great he's my teammate and we've got a good relationship off the pitch as well, but on the pitch we know each other's games.

"It's easy to play with someone like that because he knows what you like to do, and I know what he likes to do.

"We have a good chemistry and long may it continue."