Latest news with #NoniMadueke
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Noni Madueke snaps back at critics after Chelsea win Conference League
Noni Madueke believes 'critics make the game' after Chelsea left their troubles behind them by lifting the Conference League trophy on Wednesday. A tumultuous season culminated in glory as Real Betis were beaten 4-1 in Wroclaw to add silverware to the Blues' place in the Champions League next term. The occasion looked to have got the better of Chelsea's young side when they fell behind early and struggled to impose themselves against a Betis side determined to make the most of their first European final. But two wonderful assists from Cole Palmer midway through the second half turned the final around as first Enzo Fernandez then Nicolas Jackson scored, before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo wrapped up the campaign in style. 'To the critics? Critics make the game,' said 23-year-old Madueke. 'I'm not too worried about them, they spur you on so thank you. But you're not going to get swearing out of me.' It has been far from a simple path for Enzo Maresca's team who looked to have blown their top-five chances following a poor run of two Premier League wins in 10 matches between December and February, with supporters during home matches turning on the team and in particular the head coach. Chelsea have the youngest squad in Premier League history and a manager who has just completed his first season in a senior top-flight role, yet he was accused of playing a slow and uninspiring style of football that supporters appeared to be rejecting. However, a strong finish in the league – securing their place in Europe's top competition with victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day – was capped with the first trophy in Poland of the Clearlake Capital ownership era. 'The last few weeks we've taken a leap (in maturity),' said Madueke. 'You look at the game against Nottingham Forest how we came through that, the Liverpool (3-1) and United (1-0) games at home, and obviously (Wroclaw). 'The first half was difficult but we came out and showed our desire. I'm so proud.' There was a lingering question during the run-in over whether, given the club's history, finishing fourth and winning UEFA's third competition would constitute success. 'Of course that's a success,' said Madueke. 'Especially where we've come from the last few years. We know Chelsea is a winning club so there was nothing in our minds apart from winning.' Despite the difficulties, Maresca can look with satisfaction on his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge and on his growing reputation as a manager. He has now won trophies in his first two senior campaigns in England having led Leicester to the Championship title in 2023/24. 'The gaffer is top,' said Madueke. 'He won last year at Leicester and he won this year in his first year at Chelsea, and qualified for the Champions League, so I don't understand why there would be criticism of him.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Chelsea have 'come of age' under Maresca
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke says he doesn't understand criticism of manager Enzo Maresca as the team have "come of age" this 23-year-old winger started in Chelsea's 4-1 Conference League final win over Real Betis in has been a glorious few days for the club after they also qualified for the Champions League through a win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. With Maresca having aimed a well-placed swear word at the club's critics on Sunday, Madueke said: "I'm not too worried about them [the critics]. They spur you on. So, thank you to them."He was then asked about criticism of Maresca and added: "The gaffer is top. He won last year at Leicester and he won this year in his first year at Chelsea - and qualified for the Champions League."I don't understand why there would be criticism of him."Maresca said he hopes success in Europe's third tier competition can be the "start of something important", words echoed by Madueke on Wednesday night. "It's fantastic. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and we are super happy that we got the job done," he concluded."I feel like we've come of age, don't you? I feel like we have, you know. I think the last few weeks, we've taken a leap in that sense."Of course, that's a success. Especially from where we've come from in the last few years. We know that Chelsea is a winning club. But there has been nothing in our minds apart from winning and we did that."Of course winning becomes infectious. Of course it does. It's a lot of the boys' first major trophy and we are super happy that we've done it."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction: Expect a stalemate in City Ground duel
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea tips: Both teams to score and draw - 10/3 Bet365 Cole Palmer to score at any time - 9/5 Unibet It's all to play for on the final day of the season for Nottingham Forest and Chelsea as they battle it out for the final Champions League place. Chelsea are one of two teams on 66 points, alongside Newcastle and Aston Villa, while Forest are on 65 points, with just one game left to play. Advertisement The top five sides will qualify for next season's Champions League, so the result at the City Ground could prove vital, but of course, it will also depend on other results. In the other games on the final day Villa travel to Manchester United and Newcastle host Everton. It would be harsh on Forest if they were to miss out on the top five after spending most of the season in the top three, but just two wins from their last seven games has seen them slip to seventh place and let other teams sneak in the back door. Chelsea also looked a good bet for the top four, but a run of two wins in 10 from December to February saw them lose ground. Advertisement Four wins from the last five games, though, including over Fulham, Liverpool and Everton, means they now occupy fourth place. Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction: All to play for at the City Ground Barring their recent form Forest have had an excellent season, especially after only just avoiding relegation back to the Championship last season. They finished 17th last season with just 32 points but they have more than doubled that total this campaign and know a win would guarantee they would be playing in Europe next season - just which competition remains to be seen. The two sides played out a 1-1draw earlier in the season when Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood's opener before James Ward-Prowse was sent off for the visitors. Advertisement That draw is one of three from their last five meetings, with both matches ending all square in the 2022/23 season. Last season, Anthony Elanga scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge as Forest ran out 1-0 winners, but Chelsea bounced back at the City Ground, coming from 2-1 down to win 3-2 thanks to late goals from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson. Football betting sites have Chelsea as the favourites at 23/20 compared to Forest at 23/10, while a draw is 11/4. Blues boss Enzo Maresca is adamant his side will be fully focused on Sunday's game before they can then turn their attentions to the Europa Conference League final the following week, and they know they will have to be on their game to get the points they need. Advertisement Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction 1: Both teams to score and draw - 10/3 Bet365 Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting: Palmer to end the season on a high Goals have come from all areas of the pitch for Chelsea this season, and they are the sixth highest scorers in the division with 63, which makes the fact that only two players have reached double figures all the more surprising. Cole Palmer is the leading scorer with 15, while Jackson has 10, but he will miss Sunday's match after being sent off in the first half of their recent 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. As well as his 15 goals, Palmer also has eight assists so far from his 36 league appearances, but after scoring two in two in the first two games of 2025, he has only added one more goal to his tally this year. That goal came from the penalty spot in added time against Liverpool to give them the 3-1 win over the Champions. Advertisement Betting sites have the England star at 9/2 to score first or last and 9/5 to score at any time. He would love to add another to his tally on Sunday to ensure Chelsea are back in the Champions League next season. Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction 2: Palmer to score at any time - 9/5 Unibet Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea predicted line-ups Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Advertisement Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea and England star's dad splashes out £300k on horse… with debut race TOMORROW
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE father of Chelsea and England star Noni Madueke will be hoping his near £300,000 investment in a racing horse pays off when it debuts tomorrow. Ify Madueke, who has been involved in horse racing for a number of years, will see his Havana Grey filly Oliaku race at Yarmouth on Thursday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Noni Madueke's dad has a horse making its racing debut tomorrow Credit: PA 2 Ify Madueke's horse Oliaku is racing at Yarmouth Credit: PSV The horse has been trained by Michael Bell and will debut over five furlongs in the 3:25pm race. Ify splashed just shy of £300,000 on the horse which has high hopes for its debut race. Nick Bell, son of trainer Michael, told the Racing Post: "She's going to the old man. 'She's been bought for Ify Madueke, who's the dad of the Chelsea player Noni Madueke. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MOVED ON Six-cap England ace made unemployed at 33 after playing 11 minutes in 4 months "He bought a yearling with us last year and he's a real enthusiast so he's dying to get a good horse to Ascot. She ticks every box and came highly recommended.' Ify has invested in horses before with the footballer's dad previously spending over £70,000 on Princess Chizara in 2023. Ify will be hoping for a surprise win tomorrow as Oliaku ranks as third favourite heading into the race. Meanwhile his son is gearing up for a big few weeks too as Chelsea try and secure a major trophy and Champions League qualification. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The Blues take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday in what is essentially a straight shootout for a place amongst Europe's elite next season. While they will then take on Real Betis in the Conference League final next Wednesday as they look to become the first team in history to lift all three major European titles.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea player ratings vs Manchester United: Moises Caicedo stands out again as Reece James makes difference
Chelsea held their nerve to beat Manchester United 1-0 and take another step towards Champions League qualification. Victory on the final day against Nottingham Forest will see the Blues return to Europe's top table, after Marc Cucurella's second-half header proved enough against United. Noni Madueke wasted a big chance to double the lead, meaning Chelsea had to come through some nervy late moments. Here's how Enzo Maresca's side rated at Stamford Bridge... Robert Sanchez 6 Got the crowd on his back with customary iffy pass but parried smartly from Amad Diallo late on. Reece James 8 So close to a brilliant opener when half-volley struck the post. Injury scare before half-time but able to carry on and produced wonderful bit of skill for the crucial assist. Tosin Adarabioyo 7 Surprise pick ahead of Trevor Chalobah but comfortably won physical battle against Hojlund. Levi Colwill 6 Covered well to keep Amad quiet. Marc Cucurella 8 How many times is that now? Came up with a massive goal just as his side seemed to have run out of ideas. Moises Caicedo 8 Chelsea's standout player. So powerful in the middle of the park. As his manager said on Thursday, deserves to be in the Champions League. Enzo Fernandez 6 Aggressive as ever in midfield but quiet in terms of influence in possession. Pedro Neto 6 Took a while to get into the game but emerged as the likeliest threat. Surprise he didn't get a run through the middle at some stage. Cole Palmer 6 One sensational ball for Madueke opening but then faded. A change of boots at half-time failed to work the oracle. Booked. Noni Madueke 5 Missed a superb early chance when steering over, then another that would have killed the game moments after Cucurella goal. Tyrique George 5 Asked to lead the line on first league start but task was a thankless one against United's back-three. Thought he'd won a penalty from Onana but overturned by VAR. Substitutes Romeo Lavia (George 81') N/A Malo Gusto (Neto 90') N/A Unused: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Badiashile, Acheampong, Chalobah, Anselmino, Dewsbury-Hall
