'Too many players' - Mauricio Pochettino makes Noni Madueke admission as Chelsea boss challenges £29m signing to 'raise his level'

The Blues paid around £28.5 million ($37m) to acquire the services of the England Under-21 international from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. However, Madueke has struggled to establish himself as a key player in the squad and has seen limited playing time, with just 203 minutes taken in across all competitions this season.

The Argentine manager minced no words to express that Madueke has to step up his game to force his way into the starting XI.

Speaking to reporters, Pochettino said: "I think from the beginning of the season, he was involved, then not involved, injured, and suffered some problem. Noni is in a position where there is massive competition, there is too many players in that area.

"I think he needs to compete and improve his level. I think at the moment, he was injured, but now he has recovered, he may be involved in the next games."

Recent discussions have surfaced about the possibility of loaning out Madueke to secure regular first-team football. But it is believed that Pochettino wants the youngster to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place as he is tipped to become a crucial player in the future after signing a seven-and-a-half-year contract which includes an option for the club to extend for a further 12 months.

Madueke has returned to training following a knee injury and would be raring to get back on the pitch. Although he is not one of the first names on the team sheet, the busy fixture schedule, which will see Chelsea play three times in the next eight days might prompt Pochettino to rotate his squad. In that scenario, the forward might be handed a few minutes to impress.

The Blues start with a trip to Molineux to face Wolves and will then host cross-town rivals Crystal Palace on December 27. Before ending the year, the two-time Champions League winners face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on December 30.