Chelsea’s spending splurge in January has now reached £190 million as a £30 million deal has been agreed for PSV winger Noni Madueke. The 20 year old is set to become the sixth arrival of the winter transfer window as Chelsea shows no signs of slowing down in the transfer market.
CFC have focused on rejuvenating the frontline as Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix have already arrived and Madueke is on his way to Stamford Bridge. The ambitious overhaul is turning heads across the world but in the process, the Blues have addressed some key issues and deficiencies in the squad.
For example, Chelsea lacked an explosive attacker who is excellent at 1v1 situations and has the ability to deceive through blistering pace. Now, in Mudryk and Madueke, they have two players who can pull off this job.
If Graham Potter is able to strike the right balance in the squad and starting eleven, CFC might just be able to resurrect themselves mid-season and make a concrete push for Champions League football for next season. The arrivals of Madueke and Mudryk might spell trouble for one Chelsea attacker.
Noni Madueke arrival could see Hakim Ziyech leave Chelsea
With Madueke and Mudryk, CFC now have plenty of options for both the flanks. Raheem Sterling was signed in the summer and he has settled well in London, capable of playing on both the flanks. Christian Pulisic has been dangerous but at times has lacked the necessary bite while playing on the left flank. Mudryk should instate himself as the starting left winger once he is crafted into the system by Potter. Madueke can wreak havoc on the right.
If there is one player who isn’t going to be happy with the new arrivals is Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan wizard was signed for £33 million from Ajax and at that time it was a no-brainer deal. The player wasn’t an integral part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans at the start of the season which fuelled the rumours of European clubs like AC Milan trying to sign him in the summer.
Tuchel was sacked and Potter came on but Ziyech’s fortunes didn’t change. It was expected that the Moroccan would be sold in January after he returned from the FIFA World Cup. In Qatar, Ziyech and Morocco sprinkled magic. The Morocco express steamed to the semifinals and Ziyech was the architect of the Atlas Lions’ attack.
Carrying his excellent form from the World Cup, Ziyech has shined in Chelsea colours too since returning from Qatar. His best performance came against Crystal Palace but with the arrivals of Mudryk and Madueke, the 29 year old could find himself being out of favour again. Prior to the world cup, the former Ajax man played only five Premier League games, starting just once.
His newfound form can attract a lot of buyers and given Chelsea’s exorbitant spending, cashing in on the Moroccan might not be the worst of the ideas, as it will give CFC some leeway in the FFP regulations.
Will Hakim Ziyech leave after the arrival of Noni Madueke?