Chelsea winger Noni Madueke says the negative noise surrounding the club is “overblown” as he praises life under Enzo Maresca so far.
The Blues’ transfer window activity has grabbed headlines this summer, with several big names heading for the exit.
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Romelu Lukaku left to Napleswhile Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal loaned after being released from the squad and his squad failing to make a statement about his future at the club. Well ChilwellMeanwhile, he remains in exile.
Several players are training away from the first team as they fight to break into the matchday squad.
But Madueke insists things are not as chaotic as they seem.
The winger, who has been called up to the senior England squad for the first time for this month’s international, told talkSPORT: “Of course what you see on the outside is a bit exaggerated.
“Sure, in the building, it’s a great place to be, to be around. But of course there’s a lot of things going on with all the hiring and the turnover and that kind of thing.
“But as a football player, your job is to perform on the field.
“You can’t keep looking at all the external things, you have to focus, try to play your best football when you are called upon.
“That’s what I try to do.”
After Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea at the end of last season, despite guiding the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, the pressure was on for the new manager Enzo Maresca.
But the Italian, who led Leicester back to the Premier League last season, appears to be getting his team selection right so far – and Madueke is already enjoying playing under him.
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The 22-year-old said: “He’s a great guy, a great manager, a great tactician. He’s helping me a lot with my game, little details.
“Things you wouldn’t necessarily think about yourself. I always feel like a great manager will say ‘this will help you score more, this might help you get behind more’, things like that.
“Little things like that really help.”
Chelsea have had a mixed start to the season, losing 2-0 to City of Manchesterdefeating Wolves 6-2 and drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace.
Madueke has shone under Maresca, scoring four goals in three games this season – three of which came against Molineux.
A star that is also blooming this season is Cole Palmer.
After a brilliant debut season for the Blues last season, Palmer has continued his fine form, scoring one goal and registering four assists so far.
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Madueke and Palmer played together for years before Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer, where he excelled for England’s Under-21s.
And the winger says the experience together is working wonders for both of them at Chelsea.
“We’ve been playing together for eight years now, I think in the same positions we play now,” he said.
“So it’s great that he’s my teammate and we have a good relationship off the pitch as well, but on the pitch we know each other’s game.
“It’s easy to play with someone like that because he knows what you like to do, and I know what he likes to do.
“We have good chemistry and may it continue for a long time.”
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