7.8 rating shows how effective “unplayable” Chelsea winger can be – but he still must improve one areaChelsea’s win over Everton on Saturday was hardly comprehensive, and the Blues were left scrambling towards the end, but it was an improved overall showing from Enzo Maresca’s men, and there were some good individual contributions too.
The highest rated outfield player for the Blues was Noni Madueke, who had a 7.8 rating on stats site WhoScored.
Madueke prefers to play on the right, but was shifted over to the left in this game and didn’t seem too bothered. He made some really dangerous burst forward, leaving defenders in his wake as he surged inside. He notched 4 shots (all on target), 4 dribbles and was fouled twice as he caused the Toffees all sorts of problems.
As Peter Crouch, who was working as a pundit for TNT Sport on the game, said, the winger can be “unplayable” when he’s on it.
Madueke still needs to increase output to compete next season
Noni Madueke in action against West Ham. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)The only negative was that he didn’t get a goal or an assist to cap it off, and that’s a perennial issue with Madueke. For all of the good play we’ve seen from him this season, he’s got just 7 goals and 3 assists in the league.
Not a disaster, but not great either. It’s his third year at the club now, and we want to see that output go up significantly next season. As long as he keeps improving on and off the ball, everyone will be happy.
But in a team with Nicolas Jackson up top, the winger are going to have to contribute more than 10 goal contributions each in a season if we want to compete for titles. There is going to be more competition in attacking areas next season, and Madueke will know he’s got to step it up.
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