Former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards, has raised questions about Arsenal’s proposed £50 million acquisition of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. The move has left him puzzled as he contemplates where the player would fit into Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal is reported to have agreed on personal terms with Madueke, who boasts an impressive record of 11 goals and five assists in 45 appearances this season. However, his performance at the Club World Cup has been less stellar, with no goals scored in four appearances.
Despite these statistics, club-to-club discussions are believed to be underway. Chelsea is preparing for a hefty £50 million offer from their Premier League rivals.
Where does Madueke fit?
Richards' main concern revolves around the positional dilemma that could arise if the transfer goes through. As a player who favours operating from the right flank, Madueke might either have to play out of position or serve as a backup to Arsenal poster boy Bukayo Saka.
Micah Richards, Manchester City legend, said:
“Madueke... where is he going to play. He’s been playing for Chelsea on the left recently. I really like him as a player, but I like him on the right and he’s not going to play ahead of Bukayo Saka, is he?
"So, I’m scratching my head on that one. I agree [that they need two players in every position]. But Saka is always fit normally, until he got that really bad injury."
The former Manchester City defender further suggested that signing a striker should be more urgent for the Gunners. He mentioned that there seems to be an ongoing deal for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres which could potentially address this issue.
Is that what Arsenal needs?
There are speculations that Arsenal is targeting a left-sided winger as cover for Gabriel Martinelli who might exit the club this summer. This raises further questions about how well-suited Madueke would be considering his preferred position on the right wing.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expressed his desire to retain talented players like Noni Madueke. However, he also emphasized the importance of having 'happy players' in his squad, hinting at a potential willingness to let go if the player is not content.
While Arsenal's move for Noni Madueke has sparked excitement among some fans, others like Micah Richards remain sceptical. The key concerns revolve around positional fit and whether this move aligns with Arsenal's more pressing needs. As the transfer window unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these issues are addressed and whether Madueke will indeed make a switch from Chelsea to Arsenal.
