Chelsea Could Regret Selling Noni Madueke as Alan Smith Slams ‘Strange’ Transfer Decision
Chelsea may be kicking themselves over their decision to let Noni Madueke join Arsenal, and former striker Alan Smith isn’t holding back.
The Blues sold the winger to their London rivals last summer for £52 million, a deal that’s now looking increasingly embarrassing. Madueke had started to silence his doubters at Arsenal with dazzling early performances before a knee injury halted his momentum.
Chelsea, meanwhile, replaced him with Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, a move that’s gone down like a lead balloon. While Madueke was lighting up the Emirates, Gittens has struggled badly at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to Metro, Smith tore into the decision: “Who knows how Chelsea feels when it comes to these comings and goings. Jamie Gittens hasn’t been an upgrade though, he’s just been disappearing up blind alleys, and we’ve not seen the best form from him yet.”
He didn’t stop there. “That was a strange move (selling Madueke and signing Gittens). It felt unusual at the time, and it looks even more out of place now. But that’s Chelsea at the moment, isn’t it?”
Smith’s criticism echoes that of Chelsea legend Pat Nevin, who also blasted the club’s chaotic transfer policy. And with Madueke now proving his worth, even while sidelined with a knee injury until November, Arsenal fans might just be thanking Chelsea for the gift.
If Madueke returns in the same fiery form, this could go down as one of the Blues’ biggest blunders yet.
