Chelsea secure signing No 6 with ex-Tottenham forward to give Graham Potter frightening new front line
Chelsea have struck a verbal agreement to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke, and how Graham Potter will fit the pieces together in a young and explosive frontline has been suggested.
The Blues have been by far Europe’s biggest spenders this month, with their total outlay already beyond £160m prior to today.
Mykhaylo Mudryk was the headline attraction upon arriving for around £88.5m. The fact Chelsea were able to outmuscle Arsenal in that particular saga will have brought a smile to the faces of many Blues fans.
Mudryk was arrival number five and followed Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana through the front door. Joao Felix also arrived from Atletico Madrid, though only on loan.
However, various trusted sources all claimed Todd Boehly’s chequebook would continue to remain open. A move for yet another forward, this time PSV’s Noni Madueke, quickly came into focus.
The 20-year-old was on Tottenham’s books between 2014-18 before moving to the Netherlands. Injuries have limited the right winger to just nine appearances this season, though he showed what he’s capable of while still a teenager.
Indeed, Madueke bagged nine goals across all competitions over each of the last two campaigns in Eindhoven. That track record was enough to alert Chelsea, and per the Athletic and Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement has been struck.
Romano reported a long-term deal will be penned and the contracts and paperwork are currently being prepared.
The exact length of the move wasn’t stated, though if Mudryk’s eight-and-a-half year deal (includes a 12-month option) is anything to go by, Madueke’s deal will be a lengthy one.
Romano claimed Chelsea’s bid is worth ‘around €35m’ (approx. £30.6m). David Ornstein of the Athletic echoed those very same claims.
Both Ben Jacobs and Matt Law of the Telegraph claimed the total cost will be £35m (presumably including add-ons).
Mudryk, Madueke both regular starters?
Ornstein also shed light on how manager Graham Potter will fit the pieces of his attacking puzzle together.
Even before Madueke arrives, Potter can already call upon Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Mudryk, Kai Havertz, Felix, Armando Broja (currently injured), [David Datro] Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the final third.
On who’ll play where, Ornstein suggested left-footed Madueke is likely to slot in on the right side as he has done for many a year at PSV.
Right-footer Mudryk will start on the left wing, meaning Potter deploys inverted wingers, as most elite clubs tend to do in the modern game.
If Felix’s impressive, albeit ill-fated, debut was anything to go by, the Portuguese will be given the nod in central areas. Whether that’s at centre-forward or behind a striker remains to be seen.
