Chelsea winger Noni Madueke’s reaction after being subbed off against Arsenal has sparked a heated debate among pundits, with Rio Ferdinand calling for a two-week fine over what he described as a “disrespectful” act.
Madueke started on the right wing in the match but was replaced by Mykhailo Mudryk shortly after Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal in the lead. Visibly frustrated, Madueke stormed down the tunnel at Stamford Bridge, missing Pedro Neto’s equalizer, which ultimately earned the Blues a point. Although Madueke returned to the bench later, his initial actions didn’t sit well with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who argued that the young winger’s behavior was unacceptable.
“You think (Danny) Welbeck or Tom Cleverly or Nani are going to storm off the pitch and throw their dummy out?” Ferdinand asked on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “It’s disrespectful to your teammates as well.”
Ferdinand also questioned the leadership in Chelsea’s young squad, suggesting there might not be enough experienced players to check this type of behavior. “It’s a young team. Who are the experienced players who are going to go in there and say, ‘Woah, we don’t accept that here,’” he continued. “And I understand his thinking but at the same time, I don’t understand why you are doing that.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves chimed in, reflecting on his days under Sir Alex Ferguson. “We would have never done it because Sir Alex would have knocked your arse out,” Hargreaves added.
Ferdinand agreed, saying “That’s where the manager comes in,” before questioning Chelsea’s approach to handling the situation. “I think the manager protecting him is mad. And that’s why I couldn’t be in there [as a manager] because I couldn’t come out and play the game where you say, ‘Yeah he was in the wrong but [he’s a good kid].’ Fined, that’s a two-week fine.”
As Chelsea fans, we expect discipline and unity in our squad, especially from young players still proving themselves. While Madueke’s passion for the game is undeniable, respect for teammates and club comes first. It’s a learning moment, and we hope the young winger takes it to heart as he continues his journey with the Blues.