Three reasons Lampard's temporary Chelsea job may not benefit Madueke, Chukwuemeka

Nigeria-eligible duo of Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka have not played an awful lots of games for Chelsea thus far since their arrivals at the club. 

 

Carney Chukwuemeka has played a total of 11 first team games in the Premier League with just one of them as a starter. 

 

Madueke on the other hand has only five matches to his credit and was unused substitute in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Tuesday. 

 

Frank Lampard is touted to be the coach that finishes the season the season rather than interim coach Bruno Salter. 

 

Allnigeriasoccer.com here presents three reasons why the appointment of Lampard may not be of immense significance to the England youth internationals of Nigerian descent.

 

1. Pressure to prove critics wrong 

 

The former Chelsea star was relieved of his job in his first spell at the west London club and would be hoping to end the season on a high. 

 

Following his last sack at Everton on January 23, this is a good opportunity for Lampard to prove that he is a decent coach.

 

He could just be auditioning for his his next job next season by winning the UEFA Champions League. 

 

That means that he would not be so keen to play the Chelsea youngsters at the expense of more established players. 

 

Lampard understands that this is a short-term solution, one that is capable of making or marring his coaching career. 

 

2. N'Golo Kante's return to full fitness in midfield 

 

The return to the Chelsea lineup in midfield for N'Golo Kante has come as good news to the fanbase in general but Carney Chukwuemeka in particular may not be so pleased.

 

On his good day, the France international of Malian descent is a world class defensive midfielder who is capable of dictating the outcome of a game from midfield. 

 

These days, Chelsea defend from the front foot and press high up the pitch. 

 

Kante is given the freedom to dart to the wings and turn over possessions. 

 

That could mean that having the diminutive player in midfield makes the chances of Chukwuemeka playing a significant role in midfield limited. 

 

3. Ziyech preference 

 

For Noni Madueke, it is hopeful that he can come off the substitutes bench and be able to contribute meaningfully from the right wing but the return of Lampard might mean a preference of Hakim Ziyech over the Anglo-Nigerian in the starting place. 

 

Ziyech is a full fledged Moroccan international who was one of the best wingers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

 

Lampard will put out what he feels will be his best lineups in the matches he would possibly be in charge of. 

 

However, the talent of Madueke is not in doubt. If he proves his mettle, the narrative could change. 

 

For now though, the likes of Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling are ahead of him in the pecking order. 

              
Izuchukwu Michael

 

 

 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com 

 

 

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