“Perfect replacement” – Chelsea eyeing “talented” signing who will replace Madueke

Chelsea is gearing up for a crucial week as they strive to secure a top-six finish in the Premier League. Their final two matches of the season are pivotal: an away game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night and a home fixture against Bournemouth over the weekend.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s team is currently tied on points with Newcastle United, who occupy the sixth spot, but are behind on goal difference. A strong finish could see Chelsea secure a place in the Europa League, rather than the Europa Conference League, for the 2024/25 season.

Behind the scenes, Chelsea’s management is already focusing on the upcoming summer transfer window to strengthen their squad. Recently, Chelsea has been linked with a move for a former Premier League standout, Raphinha from Barcelona, who could potentially replace Noni Madueke as a starter next season.

Chelsea’s Interest in Barcelona Star Raphinha

According to Graeme Bailey, Chelsea is among several clubs alerted to the potential availability of Barcelona winger Raphinha this summer. Chelsea and West Ham have previously shown interest in the Brazilian international, and it’s now clear that he might be on the market. Other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, have also expressed interest in the former Leeds United star.

Barcelona is reportedly looking to raise funds for new additions to Xavi’s squad and hopes to make a profit on the £50 million they spent to sign Raphinha from Leeds in 2022. However, the exact transfer fee Chelsea would need to pay remains uncertain.

If Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly and his team manage to secure Raphinha’s signature, it could mean relegating Madueke from the starting XI despite his recent impressive performances.

Noni Madueke’s Premier League Form This Season

Madueke, a young left-footed winger who plays primarily on the right flank like Raphinha, has been a regular starter for Chelsea lately. He has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last seven Premier League appearances, having previously managed only two goals and no assists in his prior 14 league matches.

Despite his recent form, Madueke’s overall contribution this season has been moderate, with only one chance created per game on average. At 22, he still has plenty of time to develop, but Chelsea could benefit from an immediate upgrade by signing Raphinha.

Why Raphinha Could Replace Noni Madueke

Raphinha brings experience and a proven track record at the top level, having excelled both in the Premier League with Leeds and in La Liga with Barcelona. During his time with Leeds, he scored 17 goals, provided 12 assists, and created 22 ‘big chances’ in 65 Premier League matches. His performance earned him a move to Barcelona, where he continued to impress with seven goals, seven assists, and 17 ‘big chances’ created in 25 starts during the 2022/23 campaign.

Raphinha’s proven ability to perform in the Premier League and his exceptional crossing skills, praised by Xavi as “dangerous,” make him a valuable addition. His output significantly outshines Madueke’s, with over four times as many assists and more ‘big chances’ created this season.

Nicknamed a “magician” by former teammate Dan James, Raphinha’s potential arrival at Stamford Bridge would bolster Chelsea’s attack and provide a reliable option to replace Madueke. Given his current form and history as a lethal performer, Pochettino might favor Raphinha over Madueke for the next season, making the Brazilian winger a strategic acquisition for Chelsea.