Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has officially confirmed that winger Noni Madueke is set to complete a high-profile £52 million move to Arsenal, clarifying that the decision to leave was entirely initiated by the player himself and not by the club’s management or board.
Maresca addressed the situation during a press conference held ahead of Chelsea’s highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, a match that has drawn immense global attention. According to the Italian coach, Madueke has already been granted permission to return to London to finalize the final stages of the transfer, including agreeing personal terms and undergoing a thorough medical examination with the Gunners.
“Noni is in contact with the new club. I guess he is going to be announced in the next hours,” Maresca stated, confirming the advanced state of negotiations. “I said in one of the last press conferences, if players want to leave, then it is difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave — nobody told him he had to. If he is happy, we are happy.”
The transfer, reportedly worth £52 million including potential performance-related add-ons, has surprised many fans and analysts, especially considering Madueke’s promising contributions during the 2024/25 season. The 23-year-old English forward recorded 11 goal contributions across all competitions and recently received his long-awaited first senior England national team call-up, which had been widely celebrated among Chelsea supporters.
Despite his strong on-pitch performances, internal sources at Chelsea have hinted at underlying concerns over Madueke’s discipline, including sporadic lapses in training standards and disagreements regarding tactical instructions. These off-field issues are believed to have contributed to his decision to seek a fresh start elsewhere, despite his obvious talent and potential.
Looking forward, Maresca remains focused on Chelsea’s immediate challenge — the Club World Cup final — and appears confident that the squad will cope well with Madueke’s departure. Chelsea recently bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who delivered an outstanding performance in the semi-final against Fluminense, scoring a brace and showcasing his versatility and goal-scoring instincts.
Joao Pedro, along with other options like Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk, is expected to compete for Madueke’s now-vacant position, ensuring that the Blues retain their attacking depth as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures both domestically and internationally.
As Madueke heads to Arsenal, he is set to face stiff competition for a starting role, primarily vying with Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank. There is also growing speculation that Leandro Trossard could be on his way out of the Emirates, with reports suggesting a possible move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, potentially opening more space in Mikel Arteta’s setup for Madueke to make an immediate impact.
Madueke’s move underscores Arsenal’s ongoing efforts to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new season, as the Gunners look to build on their strong performances and challenge for both domestic and European honors. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how quickly he can adapt to Arteta’s demanding tactical system and whether he can replicate, or even surpass, his Chelsea form in North London.
Meanwhile, Chelsea supporters will be eager to see how the club reinvests the significant fee received and whether it leads to further reinforcements as Maresca continues to shape his squad for long-term success. With the Club World Cup final just around the corner, the focus at Stamford Bridge remains on achieving immediate silverware and maintaining momentum going into the new season.