‘Arsenal fans won’t be disappointed’ – Noni Madueke’s personal coach says winger believes he can become one of the world’s best | OneFootball

Having made the move across London from Chelsea to Arsenal, Noni Madueke believes he can become one of the best players in world football with the Gunners, according to his personal development coach.

Madueke’s career has been an untraditional one, especially for a young English player. He went to the Netherlands at the age of 16, joining PSV from Tottenham Hotspur’s academy.

He declined joining Manchester United and opted to go abroad thinking it would aid him in his goal to make the first team of a top European club.

“He’s always been one of the most talented young players in world football, that’s why so many clubs wanted him and why he broke through to the first team at PSV early on,” said Saul Isaksson-Hurst, his personal football coach, who Hayters TV exclusively spoke to following his move to Arsenal.

The move abroad early in his career paid off, and the Englishman played 80 times for the Dutch side before joining Chelsea for £29 million in January of 2023.

While establishing himself as a regular at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino and then Enzo Maresca, there remains a feeling that there is still plenty left to come from the youngster.

There was also criticism regarding Madueke’s training, conduct and attitude at Chelsea. On more than one occasion, Blues boss Maresca criticised his application in training.

Isaksson-Hurst says Arsenal fans have no need to be worried, however. “I call him a mentality monster,” he said.

“He’s so hungry for success and so hungry for the challenge. He backs himself. He’s got no reservations about going into that top team and making an impact. In the modern game you’ve got to have a stiff chin.

“A couple of people have asked me what his work rate is like. I’ve never come across anyone who works harder than this young man. I’m talking about having worked at some of the best academies in world football. No one’s going to outwork this guy. I know Arsenal fans won’t be disappointed.”

Madueke has clear strengths which would make him very appealing for any team, and they were clearly on display last campaign when the Englishman was arguably Chelsea’s best winger. He registered seven goals and three assists in 27 league starts, but his performances were dazzling at times.

“The reason Arsenal have signed him is because he’s so good with his ball-carrying, 1v1’s, and being able to beat players. He’s a really exciting player who keeps on getting better.”

There has been some confusion about where the 23-year-old might slot in, as his favoured right-wing position is currently occupied by a certain Bukayo Saka.

If Madueke is on his way to potential greatness, Saka is already there. There are very few players on the planet, if any, who could displace Arsenal’s starboy, so Madueke may instead be used on the left-wing.

Isaksson-Hurst, however, says that Madueke has no issues with that, and it may even benefit him in his aim to be in the England squad for next year’s World Cup.

“Noni’s good because he can play in different positions. I spoke to Noni about the fact that Thomas Tuchel likes him playing on the left, and he did that very successfully for England in their last games, he was probably one of England’s best players. I can’t see him going to Arsenal and being a back-up to Saka.

“It’s not realistic for the sort of player Noni is and also the money they spent on him. He’s a first-rate player. I see him playing on the left, and on the right sometimes when Saka rotates or comes out of the team. For me, he’s a starter.”

Madueke would have to displace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left, but Isaksson-Hurst believes Madueke is the most complete of the three options.

“Martinelli and Trossard are good players with some different assets. Martinelli is a good transition player, really good on the break. Maybe not so good when teams are in a low-block in terms of beating those players and tight defences. And Trossard is good at 1v1’s but can’t run beyond.

“Noni actually gives you both of those assets. He’s so good at ball-carrying and he can move at speed with the ball on the counter. I’d be surprised if he’s not starting on the left there and then maybe rotate with Saka on the right sometimes.

“He’s really buzzing and excited for the challenge. He’s already had the move to Chelsea so this won’t faze him. He’s excited, ready, motivated. He wants to be one of the best players in the world. He wants to be a starter in that team. He’s excited to get started with Arteta and show him what he can do.”

A theme that stood out from our chat with Isaksson-Hurst is Madueke’s intense ambition and strong belief that he will become one of the world’s best players.

And something that the best constantly have to deal with is criticism. Cristiano Ronaldo, despite being one of the greatest players ever to play the game, is now mercilessly trolled by people on social media, for example.

When it was announced that Madueke would be joining Arsenal, an online petition was created to try and block the signing, and it reached around 5,000 signatures.

But his coach believes he is well set to deal with that sort of negative feedback.

“It’s water off a duck’s back,” he said. “You’re used to that once you’re playing in the Premier League. He’s had a few years under his belt now and you’re used to that irrational fan reaction. It was a small minority. People who work in the game, coaches know what a talent this young man is and what he’s going to bring to the table.

“He’s got to get used to that. It’s the ups and downs of Premier League football. You’ve got to take the knocks as well, but I think the reality is the majority of Arsenal fans were really happy with that signing.”

Madueke joined up with his new team-mates this week after enjoying a holiday whilst the rest of the squad were in Singapore and Hong Kong on their pre-season tour. The Englishman was, of course, involved until just a few days before the end of Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph.

But with the new Premier League campaign just around the corner, Madueke will have the chance to fulfil his ambition of becoming one of the world’s best players at Arsenal.