Noni Madueke: On the move?

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For what are often nothing more than smoke and mirrors, rumours are too often cited as completely factual.

It only ever needs one whisper, and a rumour spreads like wildfire. Sometimes they prove true, often they do not. This, however, doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of considering them. It may not prove to be true, but the prospect of imagining it to be is one of the best aspects of rumours.

One such example of hearsay is the instance of Noni Madueke. An England native, Madueke has taken the Eredivisie by storm this season for PSV Eindhoven, establishing himself as the most recent of many starlets to emerge from the division.

Being good, being young and being English often means that you swiftly become linked with the European elite. Ironically, many players that fall into this band are often more overhyped due to them being English as opposed to them actually being good.

Noni Madueke, however, is different. He may be English, but was willing to carve his own path in the early days of his, still young, career. Rising through the ranks at Tottenham, Madueke departed the youth ranks of Spurs at the age of 16, moving to Holland on a three-year-deal.

Meet Noni Madueke, a creative, physically strong left-footed midfielder and English youth international ??????? pic.twitter.com/ozl0uHGCpG

— PSV International (@psveindhoven) June 29, 2018

Understanding that breaking into an ever-growing Spurs squad would only become increasingly challenging, Madueke made the move to PSV for the chance of first team football. As a 16-year-old, the attacker was initially integrated into the youth setup, before making his first team debut in 2019 at the age of 17.

In the near two years since, Madueke has only gotten better, and as a 19-year-old has established himself as his side’s hottest prospect, his game and ability ever-developing.

Again, rumours often remain as uttered words, rather than developing into anything of substance. Even still, they are a fun topic to discuss. Madueke’s name has been floated around in transfer talks for the majority of the year, and has now, apparently, reached the attention of Leeds United.

?Leeds United are ‘putting feelers out’ for PSV and England under-21 star Noni Madueke.

The forward has seven goals and four assists in 19 Eredivisie apps this season.

Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich are also credited with interest.

[@standardnews] #LUFC #MOT pic.twitter.com/hLGa2XGg4P

— Leeds All Over (@LeedsAllOver) March 29, 2021

Whilst seeing himself linked with other clubs, United may be one of the best suited ones for Madueke. Chances are, the youngster would get game-time at Elland Road, and be joining an ambitious, Premier League outfit. When analysing Madueke, perhaps his most valuable asset, other than his ability for his age, is his noticeable versatility.

Madueke has made only six starts for PSV at the time of writing, having made 19 appearances overall in the season. In these games, Madueke has been deployed at centre-forward and as a centre-attacking midfielder, whilst also having seen himself utilised as a winger.

PSV, under head coach Roger Schmidt, tend to favour a 4-4-2 system with two holding midfielders. It seems as though the left and right midfielders either play on their flanks, or drift inside and become attacking midfielders, backing up the two strikers ahead of them.

Deployed as either a centre-forward, or just behind them, Madueke has noticeably been comfortable in either position. Despite having only started six games, the Englishman has scored seven goals whilst too earning four assists. Deployed centrally, Madueke’s speed allows him to thunder forward, his tendency being to, at least partially, favour the right wing, as seen below:

Noni Madueke’s heatmap for the 2020/21 Eredivisie. Credit: SofaScore

Madueke flourishes in his freedom to attack. He averages just under 1 key pass per game, whilst also being able to create 1.4 shots per game for himself, a mere taster of a plethora of statistics that only support the claims of his attacking capabilities. PSV’s starlet boasts an attacking arsenal so envious to others in a play style that seems tailor made for Bielsa’s system.

In Leeds’ operations, pace and versatility is key. Constant pressures, a man-marking system and high intensity are aspects that can be taught only to a select few. As such, with Bielsa’s squad often reduced in size, adaptability to new positions is crucial.

Still only a teenager, Noni Madueke has, as aforementioned, already exhibited a capable degree of versatility. A killer instinct in front of goal and a keen eye for a pass, combined with the natural lethality of his athleticism, means he has already excelled in a number of attacking positions for PSV Eindhoven.

Of course, should he arrive at Elland Road in the near future, aspects of Madueke would be improved. This is expected of young players, and especially expected under the likes of Bielsa, whose tutelage can only improve the recipient.

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Madueke has impressed in the bursts he has played for PSV. His stamina however, is lacking. Of the 19 appearances he has made in the league this season, he has only completed over 80 minutes in three of these appearances.

Again, as a young, pacey winger, this is hardly an unprecedented factor. Should Madueke make the move to Elland Road, however, it can be assumed that his stamina would increase. Substitute cameos of brilliance would soon fade in favour of continued, longer displays of brilliance.

That, however, presents a question in itself. Where would Madueke play if he came to Leeds?

Presumably, Bielsa would focus on strengthening the already apparent utility aspect to Madueke’s game. Initially, he would most likely be featuring from the bench, coming on to replace one of Rodrigo, Jack Harrison and Raphinha.

In turn, he would perhaps usurp the spot of Helder Costa in the side entirely. With Ian Poveda already in the ranks, the addition of a youngster like Madueke would presumably render Costa to an expendable status at Leeds.

Rodrigo recently turned 30, and whilst he still has a few years left at the top level, he won’t last forever. From that, it could be assumed that Madueke would be nurtured as an attacking midfielder/second striker, given the age and ongoing improvement of Harrison and Raphinha.

If that were the case however, would it not limit the development of Joe Gelhardt? ‘Joffy’, as he is known, is highly rated at Leeds and a debut is surely soon to be upon him. If Madueke were to come in and play that ‘Rodrigo role’, it would impact Gelhardt’s growth, regardless of how unintentional.

It could perhaps be best assumed that Madueke would serve as a rotational attacker, but would possibly end up flourishing as a winger, in order to maintain the improvement of the likes of Gelhardt. Maybe, if he were to strengthen noticeably, he would too serve as backup for Bamford, however the idea of him serving as a winger is far more conceivable.

The idea of Noni Madueke at Leeds United is an exciting one. The very fact that, once more, Elland Road is an attractive enough prospect for many players to consider is one fans are, no doubt, thrilled about.

The PSV youngster, regardless of rumours, will no doubt continue to develop and blossom for his side. His form has seen him rewarded with a call up to the England U21s, and an eventual first-team nod isn’t a particularly outlandish thought.

Noni who?
Noni Madueke.

'Madueke’s bravery in swapping Spurs for PSV has been rewarded with England U21 call' ???????

— PSV (@PSV) March 25, 2021

Madueke will bring an exciting, youthful flair to whatever club he ends up at. For Leeds, if they get him, supporters will no doubt be ecstatic. If not, the sheer fact his name was linked with United is a great indication of where the club is, and the heights they are seemingly destined to

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