Mauricio Pochettino admits Noni Madueke has had limited opportunities due to Cole Palmer's form(Image: Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino admits Chelsea star future in doubt after clear Cole Palmer impact

Noni Madueke has been limited to just 10 starts in his first full season at Chelsea, with the form of Cole Palmer leaving Mauricio Pochettino with a selection headache

13 Apr 2024, 13:30 by Bruna Reis · football.london

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has cast a shadow over Noni Madueke's future at the club, acknowledging that Cole Palmer's impressive form is limiting his playing time.

Despite the Blues' tumultuous season, Palmer has been the shining light, leaving Madueke short of opportunities to impress. Despite the Blues' dramatic downturn in recent seasons, Pochettino inherited a squad brimming with talent thanks to Todd Boehly's recruitment drive since becoming owner.

He added to his squad by luring Palmer away from Manchester City in September in a £40million deal that has turned out to be one of the coups of last summer. The 21-year-old forward has been one of the Premier League's standout performers this season, netting 19 goals and providing 13 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.

His signing came eight months after Chelsea forked out £29m to bring in Madueke from PSV Eindhoven, tying him down with a seven-and-a-half-year contract. However, Palmer's dazzling form has relegated Madueke to a bit-part role, with the latter starting just 10 games in his debut full season in west London.

And Pochettino has hinted that the 22-year-old may struggle to find a way to pair him with Palmer without stifling his progress. "First of all it's about to have the space for him because when the club sign Cole Palmer, he [Madueke] was also here at the club and they're in the same position," Pochettino explained.

"It's all about adaptation and trying to find the dynamic where he and Palmer can play together. Hopefully he can be consistent playing in the starting XI and show his quality. But always it's about to find the right balance in the team."

If things don't work out at Chelsea and Madueke is forced to search for better opportunities elsewhere, he could be remembered as one who got away. During the international break, the England U21 international registered three goals and two assists across two games against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Former England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has previously drawn comparisons to Phil Foden's rise, who has flourished into one of the world's best players after being given a chance at City.

"He's certainly a very talented young man, really excited to be called up by the Under 21s, and a little bit like Phil [Foden] last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament," Boothroyd said in 2021.

"They knew a little bit about him, but that set him off on a trajectory and we're hoping Noni can create even more positive attention for the way that they play. He's got a lovely infectious character that comes out even over the phone."

Madueke, who scored in the recent 2-2 draw against Sheffield United, is hoping this will kickstart a run of form to conclude what has been a challenging season.

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