Video Scouting Report – Noni Madueke (W/WM/CF | Chelsea)
- Analyzing standout technical strengths
- Injuries, Engine and Availability Issues
- Current Potential vs Future Ability
- Fit at PSV and how Chelsea should use him
All comments, RTs and feedback are warmly appreciated!
- Analyzing standout technical strengths
- Injuries, Engine and Availability Issues
- Current Potential vs Future Ability
- Fit at PSV and how Chelsea should use him
All comments, RTs and feedback are warmly appreciated!
After playing for Spurs' U18s at just 15, Chelsea, United & Leipzig came calling. He rejected them all to move to PSV at 16, debuting at 17. With Donyell Malen & Cody Gakpo, he developed into a key part of PSV's sparkling attack. Let's take a look at why top clubs were after him.
Madueke featured mostly as a RW in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1. Under (prev. coach) Roger Schmidt, he also played as the 2nd CF in a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 & as a LW. A left-footed winger/inside forward, he is still only 20, & has experience in Europe with PSV playing in the Europa & Conf. Leagues.
Strengths – Dribbling + Close Control: Superb close control, agility & nifty footwork make him an excellent take-on artist. Since debut, has been in 99 percentile for dribbles attempted & completed in Europe's top 8 leagues (98 for att. in debut season)
Relies more on deception than raw speed. Similar to Hazard in how he baits players before deceiving them. Also adept at changing strides very quickly & close control at top speed is very good. Shuffles body across to shield ball while dribbling + win fouls
Shooting: Very strong shooter. Prince to Arjen Robben maneuver, where he cuts inside from the right to unleash shots. Can go near or fear post and varies his placement. Devastating if not closed down quickly in the final 3rd. Good power in right foot too.
Upper Body Strength: Strong upper frame makes him very hard to get off the ball as he absorbs slight to medium contact. Uses his body very well to shield in tight spaces. Also shows glimpses of back-to-goal and hold-up play, which can/should be honed
Drawing fouls: Quick directional change, am upper body resistant to modest contact makes him difficult to stop once he builds steam. Defenders often have to clip heels or resort to strong contact that yields yellow cards. Good at provoking contact.
Link-Up Play: Burgeoning skillset, but shows good awareness in his immediate vicinity. Plays frequent wall passes, 1-2s and lay-offs. Some degree of flair with flicks & backheels into space for runners. Can improve & be a big part of his game.
Potential Strengths – Box Movement: Experience at CF can be seen in his intelligent movement. Regularly shows ability/awareness to peel away from players in the box & the instinct/timing to attack spaces. Regularly drifts central from right & attacks box.
Runs into Space: Despite skillfulness, is not a one-dimensional, ball-to-feet player. Will regularly run into space behind the last line/off-the-shoulder. Also smart in how he makes late diagonal runs to arrive at the edge of the box, centrally.
Creative tendencies: Since he isn't searingly fast at top speed like Mudryk, retains far more control of the ball when dribbling. Often draws players in & shows good knowledge of when to release passes. Simple, but effective. Can improve even further.
Defensive work: Does basics well. Schmidt's aggressive, pro-pressing style taught him the importance of pressure. Gets into good defensive positions to help his fullback or to recover/intercept loose balls. Duels quantity (5.2/90) & quality (59%) is good
There is a sense that he could do even more. Tends not to track runners fully, can be hesitant to commit 100% to staying with markers, leading to his FB coming under pressure. Can be more aggressive in closing down and cutting out passing lanes.
Weak Foot: Right foot generates very good power, but is inconsistent when delivering. Crosses/cutbacks tend to lack accuracy. Has a few nice assists with weaker foot, but doesn't look fully comfortable using it at top speed yet.
Weaknesses – Durability: Injury issues/availability a huge worry. Has only completed full 90 thrice in two-&a-half seasons (2 of them came in his last two games.) Has also missed 54 games/279 days with mostly muscle injuries. Major concern.
Head down actions: Tends to keep head down while dribbling/shooting under pressure. Only has a maximum of one glance before executing action (to his credit, does it very well.) However, can be blind to options further away because of limited awareness.
Predictability: Body orientation while receiving plus major preference for left-foot makes him predictable. As was Robben though & Madueke is similar in how well they still manage. Seldom explodes onto his right side & almost never with his right foot.
Excessive Dribbling: Can be guilty of trying to weave out of dangerous situations & giving the ball away. Is capable of doing so, but margin for error is higher. Should choose better and learn to make safer passes in these areas first.
How PSV used him: Like any good 1v1 threat, PSV aimed to isolate him 1v1 as soon as possible vs his opp. FB. His speed, physique & close control also make him a good out ball out of pressure to start transitions from deeper positions, with more space
PSV also utilized his gravity well, often waiting till his presence caused overloads before attacking space in behind. This happened via the FB (Dumfries was very good at it) or via CMs/CAM (Gotze, Til). Attacking the spaces he creates is key.
He also seems better when supplemented with width. The CAM usually drifts wide to pin opp. FB, while an overlapping FB has the added benefit of eliminating his discomfort at exploding right. He can play the wing by himself, but width accentuates his threat
How Chelsea Should Use Him: Madueke is a fiercely direct 1v1 threat and high volume shooter/dribbler who will offer a shot threat the club has lacked all season (11th this season.) He should be played on the right with freedom to drift centrally.
This would require protecting the right side well. At PSV, Ibrahima Sangare/Joey Veerman offered good cover while Mauro Junior also did a fair job offering support. In the absence of Reece James and a viable RCM (Zakaria/Kova injuries) this could prove an issue in transitions.
It is hard to believe he is still 20. Despite major concerns on injuries & availability, his ability/ceiling is high. His success will depend on his ability to stay consistently fit, while finding some balance in his high-risk/high-reward dribbling style. His fundamentals are
a good base of Mo Salah's, who came to the league as a raw, pacy winger but developed excellent core strength, balance, finishing & two-footedness to become a world class wide forward. This is not to say he is/will become Salah; just that there is a lot there to work with.
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