Chelsea FC is determined to retain 22-year-old winger Noni Madueke even if they succeed in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
With new manager Enzo Maresca at the helm, the Blues are moving forward with their transfer strategy to bolster their squad, which finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
The club has already secured centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham and is actively seeking to add a striker and a wide player to their ranks.
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Olise, who is also 22, has emerged as Chelsea’s primary target this summer. However, they face stiff competition from clubs such as Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United.
Chelsea previously attempted to sign Olise last summer by triggering his £35 million release clause. However, the deal fell through due to Crystal Palace’s dissatisfaction with Chelsea’s approach. Since then, Olise has signed a new contract that includes a more complex release clause, reportedly around £60 million.
Despite speculation that Madueke could be used as a bargaining chip in the deal for Olise, reports from The Athletic clarify that Chelsea has no intention of letting Madueke leave. Instead, the club envisions both players competing for positions, aligning with the strategy of having two quality players for every position, a common practice among top-tier clubs.
This approach reflects Maresca’s tactical philosophy, which places significant emphasis on wingers. Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV, is expected to play a crucial role in the team.
The potential addition of Olise, alongside future arrivals like Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian in 2025, indicates a strategic investment in the club’s wide attacking options.
This strategy underscores the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level and build a robust team capable of challenging for major titles.
