What next for Noni Madueke at Chelsea as big summer transfer decision faces £35m attacker

Noni Madueke was one of Chelsea's eight signings in the January transfer window with the club finally signing their long-term target after years of watching the winger. The 21-year-old had been watched by the Blues since the speedy wide man left Tottenham as a teenager. He had offers to stay in England but he made the brave decision to move abroad and ply his trade in the Netherlands. Madueke really flourished in the Eredivisie, scoring 11 goals in 51 appearances in the Dutch top-flight during his three-and-a-half years there. Chelsea ended up taking what can be described as a gamble when they signed him in January for around £35million. He was, and is, viewed as one very much for the future but surely everyone is a tad surprised at how little time he has had on the pitch as we approach the end of the season.

The England Under-21 international has featured just five times in all competitions since signing for the club – being on the pitch for just 215 minutes. Graham Potter, when he was in charge at Chelsea, often preferred others from the bench when making changes, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Christian Pulisic often being chosen instead.

But the end of the season could be crucial in Madueke's Chelsea career. With the amount of attackers the Blues already have in their squad and the likes of Christopher Nkunku – and possibly others – to join in the summer, Madueke will be hoping to have the chance to show what he's about in the first-team between now and the end of May.

Otherwise a loan move could be on the cards for Madueke for the 2023/24 season. It's what would be best for his career should whoever is appointed the new head coach not have him high up the pecking order either. However, we've seen plenty of times in the past players move on loan from Chelsea and it blocks their route back into the first-team at Stamford Bridge.

Now that there isn't anything actually meaningful for Chelsea to play for this season, it is an opportunity for Frank Lampard to play some of the underused members of the squad. Madueke certainly falls into that category and he can hopefully remind people of the frightening talent he has at his disposal. 

It's almost like some people have forgotten – and they can be forgiven because of the lack of football he has played – just how much potential Madueke has. There's not exactly attacking players at Chelsea right now who have to keep their place in the first-team because of their performances lately. If you ask the majority of Chelsea supporters what they would like to see for the remainder of the campaign, they would tell you they want to see the likes of Madueke given a chance.

If that isn't the case and he remains on the sidelines, then it may make the club consider loaning him out when the summer transfer window opens.