Madueke hasn’t played since picking up an injury during the international break
Pochettino said the video ‘wasn’t a big issue’ but that his players need to be wary
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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has said his players ‘need to avoid’ things that could cause issues within the club after Noni Madueke was seen partying while injured.
Madueke has been out of action for Chelsea after picking up a muscle problem while on international duty with England’s U21 side, but could be set to return for the Blues’ game against Fulham on Monday.
He hasn’t played for the club since their 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on September 2 after suffering the issue during the last international break despite playing 76 minutes for Lee Carsley’s side in their mostrecent match against Luxembourg.
A little over a week ago, however, the 21-year-old was the star of a video posted online which showed him partying at a nightclub in Mayfair, London, during the break.
Pochettino, speaking on the event prior to Chelsea’s game this weekend, claimed it wasn’t an event to be concerned about, but did acknowledge that his players need to be careful.
In my opinion, he is working hard to try and recover,’ he said. ‘He came back from the national break 10 days ago. Now he is well. He is trying to be on the same level as the team.
‘This video, we were talking about that, it’s a thing you need to avoid. All of the players need to know that when you are a player of Chelsea, you need to avoid these things. It wasn’t a big issue, but we need to avoid these types of situation. He is recovering from the national team and we will see if he is fit.’
The 21-year-old had enjoyed a successful summer with England’s U21 side, appearing in all of their games at the European U21 Championship, to help the team claim victory at the tournament.
His time at Chelsea has been slow-going, however, scoring two goals in 15 appearances since his £26million arrival from PSV in January.
Pochettino appeared to confirm that he was left out of the squad in the Blues’ win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup in midweek due to selection rather than injury, but he could play a part against Fulham
And it appears the Argentine still has faith in Madueke and Chelsea’s other young players to help turn the club’s fortunes around. They currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with just one win in their first six games of the season.
‘It’s not only Mischa (Mykhailo Mudryk), it’s many players that arrive,’ he said. The level of these guys, because they are so young, changes.
‘Big change from where they come and also it’s not about arriving and performing when you are young, it’s about adapting, helping them to settle. And then the most difficult thing is to understand what they need to settle and to feel comfortable and to express their talent.’
Carney Chukwuekmeka could also return to the squad for Monday’s game after over a month out injured.
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