La Derecha Diario The controversial departure of a Chelsea player before the Club World Cup final
One of the forwards who participated in the tournament had left the training camp just hours before the decisive match to sign with another club
The atmosphere at Chelsea is one of pure joy after winning the Club World Cup. However, a controversy has arisen involving a now former player. This is Noni Madueke, who made an express move to Arsenal, the Blues' classic rival, less than 24 hours before the decisive match against Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward decided to leave the training camp in the United States to travel to London, undergo a medical examination, and finalize his signing with the Gunners.
The news had been confirmed by Chelsea's own coach, Enzo Maresca, who explained that the decision came from the player: "If a player wants to leave, it's difficult for the club and for the coach," he stated at a press conference. The transfer was completed for about 60 million euros, with a five-season contract, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer also caused division among Chelsea fans. Some supporters considered it unacceptable for him to sign with a direct rival and even started a petition on Change.org to stop the deal. In response, former footballer Rio Ferdinand came to his defense: "For a 23-year-old to be vilified and harassed when he's fulfilling a dream is a disgrace," he said.
Beyond the sporting aspect, Madueke's departure also responds to Chelsea's need to balance its accounts after being sanctioned by UEFA with a 31 million euro fine. Nevertheless, the team managed to win 3-0 against PSG in the Club World Cup final without the forward, who started the tournament as a starter but was not present in the decisive match.
The Madueke case reflects how business and financial urgency can prevail even on the eve of a historic final, pushing sporting matters into the background and sparking a debate that goes far beyond a simple transfer.
His performance at Chelsea
Madueke arrived in 2023 from PSV Eindhoven for 35 million, and accumulated 92 matches, 20 goals, and 9 assists with the Blues. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was marked by off-field incidents and questions about his commitment and discipline. Mauricio Pochettino, one of his former coaches, publicly criticized him after seeing him go out partying while injured, and later Maresca even left him out of key matches.
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