The term 'maverick' is defined as 'an unorthodox or independent-minded person'.
That definition of the term is often used to describe certain football players. Those players who like to put on a show for the supporters. After all, football is supposed to be entertainment; it needs entertainers.
Over the years we've had Paul Gascoigne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and more recently in the Premier League we've seen the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin excite Newcastle United supporters. Not even to mention the great Eden Hazard. All of these players listed can frustrate fans when they're not quite on it, but when they're in-form, it's hard to match in terms of sheer entertainment.
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Taking players on at speed, shooting on sight, producing skills while on the ball – all of these things are what make a 'maverick' footballer. And Chelsea have their very own now.
Noni Madueke has now started the last two matches for the Blues, the first time he has done so since making the £35million move to the club in the January transfer window from PSV Eindhoven. The 21-year-old has also been one of Chelsea's strongest performers in those back-to-back matches at Arsenal and then Bournemouth.
At the Emirates Stadium last week, it was a dire performance from Chelsea all in all, but the one positive was Madueke. The England Under-23s international always looked to be positive on the ball despite his team's negative performance and he also bagged himself his first goal in Chelsea colours.
Frank Lampard had no choice, really, than to start the winger a few days later as Chelsea made the trip down to the south coast to face an in-form Bournemouth side. Many had tipped the Blues, who were on a six-game losing streak going into the game, to falter once more at the Vitality Stadium but another brilliant performance from Madueke helped secure three points for the visitors.
Madueke played on the right-hand side to cut in on his favoured left foot. He stayed really wide, like a traditional winger, something we don't see than often nowadays. It caused Bournemouth left-back Matias Vina all sorts of issues. He wasn't sure whether to go and follow Madueke on the touchline and leave a huge gap in the four-man defence, or to let him have space and guard the box.
So whenever Madueke did get the ball, he had so much space to run into and by the time he got to Vina, his speed and trickery ensured an easy passage for the England Under-23s international. Vina was wary of allowing the tricky winger too much space on his brilliant left foot so he quite often showed him to the touchline, onto his 'weaker' right foot, but that wasn't an issue for Madueke. He was quite happy to run down the line and find another route onto his left.
This was the constant theme, particularly in the first-half, and it's what Chelsea were relying on to create opportunities against the Cherries. Madueke is the sort of player who keeps a spectator on the edge of their seat – to use that old-school cliché.
Chelsea supporters will be really keen to see Madueke continuously between now and the end of the season. He deserves to keep his place in the team. With Raheem Sterling struggling in recent weeks, he's the perfect alternative to his compatriot to keep him out of the limelight as he looks to regain his confidence.
For Madueke, it's a real opportunity to prove himself in the remaining four games of the season. If he manages to do that, then regardless of what happens in the summer transfer window, then he could well be in the next permanent head coach's plans in time for the 2023/24 season.
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