Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has been speaking about his end to last season and where he has improved as a footballer.
Noni Madueke finished the last campaign strongly. In April, he scored a goal and provided one assist against Aston Villa before doing the same again versus West Ham United the following month.
Alongside Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old was also the best dribbler in Chelsea‘s squad.
The two attackers completed 1.6 dribbles per game in the Premier League, which was more than any of their teammates, according to WhoScored.
Madueke will now be hoping to go up another gear under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Noni Madueke happy with how 2023/24 season ended
During the first half of last season, Madueke did not get too many opportunities under his former boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The wide man did not make his first start in the Premier League until October. His next one would not come until December.
However, Madueke was used a lot more often in the second part of the campaign, and the England U21 international has been speaking about that and how the defensive side of his game eventually started to improve under Pochettino.
Talking to Chelsea’s official website, he said: “I was just playing a lot more, so it’s easier to stay in a rhythm. I feel like I’ve improved certain aspects of my game, in terms of the defensive side, and in hand with that it’s just helped the offensive side of my game.
“I wanted to finish the season as strongly as possible and now just start next season fit. I really think the rest will take care of itself.”
Why Noni Madueke needs to keep improving
Chelsea have a lot of quality in attack, which includes Palmer and Raheem Sterling.
It is why Madueke struggled to get into the team last season. And things are unlikely to get any easier next term.
Chelsea could sign another right winger this summer, a really good one: Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
It has been claimed that the Blues want to bring the 22-year-old in before the end of June.
He was sensational for Palace in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in just 19 appearances.
If Madueke wants to retain his place in the team, then he is probably going to have to go up another level.