Noni Madueke aspires to be like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, rejected Manchester United and worked under Ruud van Nistelrooy as former Tottenha

01/20/2023 07:42 AM

In recent years, the England national team has had huge success when it comes to bringing youth prospects into the senior side. With the likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, all succeeding, many fans are left wondering ‘who’s next?’ Madueke is on the verge of signing for ChelseaGetty However, they may soon come to realise that Noni Madueke is on the right track to being the answer to that pressing question. A move to Chelsea will be sealed in the coming days, with the Premier League set to welcome yet another young talent. The 20-year-old Madueke currently plays for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. His youth career, though, began at Crystal Palace in 2011 before he made the switch to Tottenham Hotspur three years later. In 2018, he rejected an offer from Manchester United to complete a bold move across the continent to PSV. Despite dismissing the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Madueke will surely have no regrets over such a decision. Madueke is one of England’s rising starsGetty The right winger has amassed 20 goals and 14 assists in 80 senior appearances for PSV. His career efforts so far have also seen him compete for England at various youth levels, and he currently plays for the U21s. Madueke has also made appearances in the Europa League and the Conference League, therefore adding even more experience to his name at such a young age. He spent his first season at PSV in their development side and was fortunate to work under Man United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who later became the first team boss. In an interview with Sky Sports last year, he said: “He is a legend of the game so it was an honour and he is still a great finisher. “He helped me a lot with that.” PSV boss Van Nistelrooy has shared his expertise with the wingerGetty The 20-year-old has impressed for the Dutch side ever since he joinedGetty Although he has had the pleasure of working with one of the game’s icons, he has also set his sights on emulating the efforts of some of his heroes. His ambitions are clear to see, with Madueke hopeful of reaching the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “I have the drive to be the best,” he explained in 2021. “I am never satisfied if I am not. I am the type to get angry if I am not. That is how I am. It is a competitive edge. “To be a great player, you have to have it. Ronaldo epitomises it. I grew up a Man United fan and used to watch him. What he did was inspiring and to be still doing it now is testament to how hard he works. “He is the biggest inspiration for someone who is confident but backs it up on the pitch every time he steps out. “All my idols like Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi and the new generation like [Kylian] Mbappe, they all play with a confident arrogance. That is something I like and try to implement in my game.” Ronaldo, now of Al Nassr, is an idol to MaduekeGetty He will soon join a Chelsea side who have struggled as of lateGetty After four-and-a-half years at PSV, it looks as though Madueke is set to make the next step in his career. Premier League giants Chelsea are close to completing a £30million deal for the youngster. He will join the Blues as their sixth signing of the January transfer window, following fellow winger Mykhaylo Mudryk to Stamford Bridge. Many of Chelsea’s new signings are under the age of 25, with co-owner Todd Boehly clearly looking towards a team for the future. Madueke now has the chance to really prove himself on the biggest stage. England appearances could also be on the cards, with the highly rated prospect hoping to become one of the very best that the Three Lions have to offer. Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog