Chelsea make decision on selling Noni Madueke after Michael Olise breakthrough

Chelsea will reportedly keep Noni Madueke even if they secure a deal for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. The Blues are one of at least five teams who are interested in signing the highly-rated Frenchman this summer.

Madueke’s future has been thrown into doubt by Chelsea’s strong interest in Olise. Both players are of a similar profile, left-footed attackers who are at their best when coming inside from the right wing.

Chelsea felt they came close to signing Olise last summer. They believed they had activated the 22-year-old’s complex release clause at Palace, but the player ultimately signed an improved contract with the south Londoners.

Madueke, who shone under Mauricio Pochettino in the second half of last season, might see his game time limited if Olise were to arrive at Stamford Bridge. However, The Athletic report that Chelsea want to keep the former England under-21 international.

The Blues want to have at least two top players for each position in their squad. They reportedly feel that keeping Madueke would help them achieve that policy. Cole Palmer, who spent much of last season on the right wing, will reportedly be used more predominantly as a No 10 by new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Madueke scored eight goals and provided three assists in all competitions last season. The 22-year-old, a £30million buy from PSV in January 2023, had just started to settle in Pochettino’s favoured team before the Argentine’s departure. Palace, where he spent three years of his academy career, are widely reported to be interested in a move.

Meanwhile, Olise’s future beyond the summer is unclear. The former Reading star, whose representatives Chelsea are claimed to have agreed personal terms with, is understood to be happy at Palace but would entertain the right move if an exciting project arose.

Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the winger, who scored 10 goals and assisted a further six times despite only making 14 Premier League starts last season. A string of hamstring injuries prevented him from featuring more often.

One obstacle for clubs attempting to sign Olise this summer is his participation in the Olympics. He and Palace team-mate Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is also attracting transfer interest, are part of Thierry Henry’s France squad for the competition, which takes place from July 24 to August 10.

If Olise is to leave Selhurst Park, he and Palace would prefer for the deal to be struck before he travels to Palace, and certainly before the Premier League season begins. His release clause, believed to be around the £60m value, is complicated for clubs to activate.