Cody Gakpo responds to Noni Madueke’s heartfelt message amid Chelsea exit rumours
Noni Madueke made his return from injury against Tottenham and delivered a heartfelt message to fans amid uncertainty over his Chelsea future.
Madueke had been sidelined since February after picking up a hamstring injury but came off the bench in Chelsea’s 1-0 derby win over Spurs, replacing Jadon Sancho with just over 20 minutes to play.
It was Enzo Fernandez who scored the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge, heading home Palmer’s cross to seal all three points in a tightly contested clash.
Madueke had been a regular starter under Enzo Maresca in the league before his injury, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa are interested in signing Madueke this summer, with the Midlands club considering a move once the window opens.
Despite the speculation, the winger didn’t let it distract from his return. He posted a message after the game, thanking the fans for their continued support during his recovery and expressing his pride at being back on the pitch in a Chelsea shirt.
Aston Villa given boost in Noni Madueke pursuit
Madueke shared a heartfelt message on Instagram following his return from injury, writing: “Thank you God for giving me back the thing I value most!”
The post was met with support from current and former teammates, including ex-PSV teammate Cody Gakpo, who responded with a raised hands emoji. Reece James and Marc Cucurella also showed their support by liking the post.
The 23-year-old winger has started 19 Premier League matches this season, making 29 appearances in total and contributing 12 goals and assists combined.
However, Aston Villa have been encouraged in their pursuit of Madueke this summer. He remains highly rated by several clubs, although questions have been raised about his role at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans appear open to the idea of selling Madueke, believing it could provide funds for reinvestment, particularly in attack, where consistency has been lacking this season.
| Season statistics | Noni Madueke |
| Appearances | 29 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 4 |
Chelsea may revive Alejandro Garnacho interest if Madueke departs
Chelsea were strongly linked with Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho during the January transfer window, though a deal never materialised.
The club are expected to prioritise attacking reinforcements in the upcoming window, especially with Mykhailo Mudryk’s current unavailability and Jadon Sancho potentially returning to Man United.
Should Madueke also leave, a move for a wide forward would become imperative, and Garnacho is one option the club could revisit ahead of the new season.