{"id":1350548,"date":"2024-05-03T12:32:46","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T11:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1350548"},"modified":"2024-05-03T12:32:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T11:32:46","slug":"pochettino-praise-noni-madueke-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/pochettino-praise-noni-madueke-chelsea\/","title":{"rendered":"Noni Madueke: Pochettino explains how Chelsea dribble master is becoming a more complete player"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has singled out Noni Madueke for praise following his performance in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Madueke has struggled for minutes and consistency for much of this season but across the last month, he seems to have made a breakthrough with six consecutive starts across all competitions since April 7th. Pochettino’s trust has been rewarded with two goals and an assist during that time, while he was arguably Chelsea’s standout player against Spurs with a team-high five completed dribbles, as well as two chances created and six touches in the opposition box.<\/p>\n

In fact, Madueke’s 14 completed dribbles across his last six games equals his total for the entire season prior, while his three direct goal involvements are just one behind his total for the rest of the campaign (Premier League and FA Cup play).<\/p>\n

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However, it was Madueke’s defensive output that impressed Pochettino the most against Spurs. Charged with helping emerging right-back Alfie Gilchrist deal with the likes of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, Madueke made two tackles, five recoveries and two clearances, while eight of his 12 overall defensive actions came inside his own half.<\/p>\n

That work rate has been a rising trend in Madueke’s game, with the 22-year-old averaging 1.46 tackles and 2.2 possessions won in the defensive third per 90 minutes across his last six appearances. Pochettino is fully appreciative of the effort and was seen laughing and smiling on the pitch with the winger following Thursday’s full-time whistle.<\/p>\n

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I hope you are all watching very closely what Pochettino is doing with Noni Madueke. He is taking him under his wing & helping him develop & mature. <\/p>\n

Is this not exactly why we brought him in? His man-management is elite, you just can\u2019t deny it ???pic.twitter.com\/5t1MaUFGK7<\/a><\/p>\n

— Dean (@DeanCFC_) May 2, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n