Noni Madueke has created many mixed opinions during his two and a half years at Chelsea. However, since he moved to Arsenal for £52 million, perhaps many people at Stamford Bridge have begun to feel regretful.
At the age of 23, Madueke is gradually asserting his value at the Emirates, as he continues to shine in the "Gunners" shirt as well as the England team. That is the image that The Blues fans expected when the club recruited him from PSV in 2023.
The disappointment at Stamford Bridge increased when the new recruits brought in to replace the position that Madueke left behind all had unconvincing performances. They have not been able to meet the expectations of the club and fans.
Chelsea have invested heavily in attacking wing options with Gittens, Estevao, Garnacho and the stable presence of Pedro Neto. However, the question is, can quantity make up for the quality that Madueke brings?
Madueke is proving that he can become a decisive factor thanks to his ability to create breakthroughs, his daring in one-on-one situations and contributing directly to goals. Meanwhile, Chelsea's new signings, despite their potential, have yet to make a clear difference on the pitch.
This makes the Blues' sale of Madueke a question mark. Chelsea put pressure on themselves by having to rely on unverified faces in the Premier League environment.
The Blues' "rigid pearl hunting" policy continued to be maintained when Garnacho, Estevao and Gittens arrived at Stamford Bridge, carrying the expectation of becoming pillars in the future. However, their initial performances have shown that they still need more time to prove their worth.
Gittens were met with criticism for their lackluster form in the draw with Brentford. The sloppy handling in the second half, when Chelsea were trailing 0-1, became a turning point that caused him to be substituted. The replacement, Cole Palmer, immediately shined with an equalizer, making the comparison even harsher.
Meanwhile, Garnacho showed some positive signs in his debut but still made mistakes in defense. It was his neglect of Fabio Carvalho in the extra minutes that opened the late equalizer for Brentford, causing Chelsea to lose the victory.
Chelsea's rare bright spot in the draw with Brentford was Garnacho's breakthrough on the left wing, leading to Moises Caicedo's goal. His decisive dribbling and uncomfortable passing caused confusion in the opponent's defense, thereby indirectly opening up scoring opportunities for the equatorian midfielder.
Meanwhile, Gittens continued to be deployed on the left wing but did not make a significant impact, while Estevao was absent due to illness. This absence forced Pedro Neto to switch to the right wing, a role he has fully played since the beginning of the season.
Estevao's start in London has really brought high expectations. When in good shape, the 18-year-old player not only plays confidently, but also leaves his mark early with an assist in the victory over West Ham. This is a testament to the great potential and ability to make a difference that he brings to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Gittens, at 21, still has plenty of time to prove his worth. The statistics at Dortmund have helped him become one of the most promising talents in Europe, even more impressive than Madueke or Pedro Neto before they joined Chelsea.
However, the Premier League is a much harsher environment. Gittens must adapt quickly if they want to turn their potential into stability at the highest level.
