Despite facing criticism for his behavior after Chelsea’s FA Cup exit, Noni Madueke has been named in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup for the match against Arsenal.
Former Blues star William Gallas had called for Madueke to be dropped from the squad after he was seen laughing and joking with Manchester City’s Jack Grealish following their semi-final win at Wembley.
However, Pochettino has opted to give Madueke a third consecutive league start, despite the concerns raised by Gallas and others. The decision comes as Chelsea cope with the absence of top scorer Cole Palmer, who is out with illness.
Madueke has been in and out of the team under Pochettino this season, but has scored in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester and the league draw with Sheffield United.
With Palmer unavailable, Pochettino started with a front three of Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson. There was also a start for academy talent Alfie Gilchrist at right-back, with Malo Gusto missing out through injury.
Opponents Arsenal made changes of their own. Takehiro Tomiyasu was fit to return after injury, while Thomas Partey started a Premier League game for just the fifth time this season.
“It is difficult,” Pochettino told TNT Sports when asked about Palmer’s absence. “It is not always easy to replace a player who is doing well for us. But yes, I was saying yesterday we need to know how we need to play and players can be unavailable. It can happen.”
